Ultra-processed Foods Increase Risk of Stroke & Cognitive Problems
A new study from the Massachusetts General Hospital has revealed some scary findings. A small increase in the amount of ultra-processed foods in your diet can increase your risk of stroke and cognitive decline, even if you try to adhere to a healthier diet, like the Mediterranean or a plant-based diet.
This study followed 30,000 participants over 20 years. The researchers found that a mere 10% increase in the amount of ultra-processed food increases your risk of dementia by 16%. On the other hand, consuming minimally-processed foods decreases your risk of dementia by 12%. A higher intake of ultra-processed foods increases the stroke risk by 8%. However, minimally-processed foods lowered the stroke risk by 9%.
While the exact cause is not fully known, there are some likely explanations. These foods are packed with sugar and salt, which increase the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Ultra-processed foods also contain a ton of chemicals that help maintain color and texture, prevent spoilage, and enhance the flavor. These include trans fats, preservatives, emulsifiers, high-fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate, coloring, sulfites, and nitrites. These chemicals have many negative effects on the body, including inflammation, free radical damage, and disrupting hormone balance. A more insidious effect of these chemicals may be on the gut microbiome. It is very likely that they kill healthy gut bacteria (or even cause healthy gut bacteria to mutate into harmful ones) and encourage the growth of detrimental bacteria.
This study definitely adds to the growing body of scientific literature that proves that ultra-processed foods are seriously bad for your brain health. It is not super difficult to cut down your intake of ultra-processed foods. Make fresh food instead of buying ready-to-eat meals. Cut out sodas, artificial beverages, and chips. Limit your intake of fast food. Instead of off-the-shelf cakes, pastries, and cookies, try making your own.
