Although it is clear that the consumption of hot dogs and ice cream will not lead to physical health, new research sheds light on how the reduction of brain activity can be caused by excessive food.
Research presented Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego explains how foods such as instant noodles, sugary drinks and frozen meals all play a role in the rapid decline the mind.
“It’s no secret that physical and mental health are closely related to each other, it’s not surprising that this latest study also shows brain dysfunction ,” said Rafael Perez-Escamilla, a professor of public health at Yale University.
“Just 100 calories of processed food can affect your physical health. So, two cookies.”
Studies have linked the consumption of processed foods to health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes and cancer. “And now, we’re starting to see that it affects the mind,” Perez-Escamilla said. “This is because it causes inflammation, which can affect neurotransmitters in the brain. Processed foods also work on a micro level with billions and billions of bacteria that (damage) the activity.”
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Researchers presented findings at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference from a study — not peer-reviewed — in Brazil that examined dietary factors and the knowledge of 10,000 adults and older. See the article : The debate over the best fast food burger of all time rages online.
The study found that participants who got 20% or more of their daily calories from more nutritious foods saw a faster reduction in cognitive performance between six and 10 years compared to people on a low-nutrient diet.
“It’s a powerful study, and the evidence is very consistent with what has been observed in ultra-processed foods over time,” said Perez-Escamilla, who was not involved in the study.
Processed foods require little preparation and are often easier to eat because they usually don’t lead to the feeling of fullness like eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, potatoes, eggs, fish or meat, said Perez Escamilla. And many processed food products can be disguised or promoted as healthy.
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Previous studies on post-diabetic diets have identified early signs of cognitive decline, namely an increase in the disorder. A study published last week found that for every 10% increase in daily consumption of highly processed foods, people in the UK have a 25% greater risk of developing the disease.
“Over-processed foods are a problem not only later in life but from the beginning of life in the child, preschool,” said Perez- Escamilla. “That’s when children develop a taste or preference for more processed foods that determine future risk.”
What is processed food?
Processed foods are those that contain very few ingredients and often contain artificial flavors, colors or other additives. On the menu will be bread, crackers, cookies, fried snacks, cream cheese, ice cream, candy, soda and hot dogs. On the same subject : Global Food Supply Scale. Frozen foods are also leading the way in processed foods.
Research on American food shows that 58% of calories are consumed through processed foods in the US, according to a 2016 peer review.
Claudia Suemoto, author of the study on dementia and associate professor of geriatrics at the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, says it is important to see more than just reading calories when thinking about the mind and body.
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“Independent of the number of calories, independent of the amount of healthy food you try to eat, the food that is more processed is not good for your mind,” said Suemoto to NBC News. “I know sometimes it’s easier to open a package and throw it in the microwave, but in the long run it’s going to cost you a few years of your life.”
Dr. Cate Shanahan, a nutrition expert and author of “Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Foods,” describes fried foods at home. family “the worst of the worst” and noted that French fries have become the fattiest. of food.
“If you try to Google nutrition for an explanation, there are all kinds of answers,” Shanahan said. “Processed foods are foods that have high levels of unhealthy ingredients. It could be carbohydrates like flour and sugar, protein powders. Seed oils are the worst thing in the food supply. We call them the eight bad oils — corn oil, canola oil, soybean oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, rapeseed oil and rice oil.”
Socioeconomic factors make it difficult
Percy Griffin, director of scientific research for the Alzheimer’s Association, said in a statement that the latest research shows a link between processed foods and dementia – not a direct cause – and there are many considerations in consuming processed foods. On the same subject : In depth: The future of food.
“The increasing availability and consumption of fast, manufactured and ultra-processed foods is due to many economic factors, including low access to healthy foods, less time to prepare food from the beating and the inability to afford whole foods,” Griffin said in a statement.
More than half of the study participants were women, white or college educated. The average age is 51.
Adrienne DePaul, a nutritionist at the Health Loft in Chicago, said that the increase in more processed foods often comes because of the larger budgets of Americans and it is important to respect them. less money or access to fresh, whole foods when shopping.
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“More processed foods are often eaten by people who are financially strapped or can’t afford to spend time preparing food from scratch,” DePaul said. “We must be careful in making decisions like this and turn them into individual recommendations.”
Shanahan said there are still ways to maintain good health: “Vegetables can be expensive and highly perishable. Dairy, eggs and lean meats can be the best foods for someone struggling with financial literacy. Our bodies need good protein, and there are many ways to get it.”
