Ultra-processed foods linked to hidden brain damage in study

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 22:49 · Archive

Canadian researchers found people eating the most ultra-processed foods were 40% more likely to show small areas of brain damage on MRI scans.

Canadian researchers examined MRI scans of about 9,000 participants aged 35 to 69 and found small areas of brain damage more commonly in people who ate large amounts of ultra-processed foods, including soft drinks, packaged snacks and sugary breakfast cereals. Those with the highest intake were 40% more likely to show these changes.

The brain damage can go undetected because it produces no obvious symptoms. However, researchers said these changes may be early warning signs in the years before stroke or memory problems develop. The findings were unexpected given the participants were middle-aged Canadians with no heart problems and no other reported health concerns, according to Russel J. de Souza, first author of the study and an associate scientist at McMaster University's Population Health Research Institute. 'Usually, this kind of damage is associated with conditions we hear about and treat at a much older age,' de Souza said.

Participants who ate the most ultra-processed foods also had more body fat and visceral fat, which is linked to heart disease and other health concerns. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found an overall stronger connection between ultra-processed food consumption and brain damage among women. Women in the highest consumption group had nearly twice the likelihood of exhibiting signs of brain damage compared to those in the lowest consumption group.

How it is being reported

• Ultra-processed foods causing hidden damage in healthy adults, researchers cautionResearchers say the link between ultra-processed foods and brain health problems may be detectable before symptoms appearNew York Post · 18 Oct, 22:41
• Popular foods Americans eat every day linked to silent brain damage, alarming study findsMRI scans of 9,000 Canadians revealed hidden brain damage linked to ultra-processed foods like soft drinks and sugary cereals, with women at higher risk.Fox News · 18 Oct, 18:07

In this story: Canadian researchers · McMaster University · Population Health Research Institute · Russel J. de Souza · JAMA Network Open · Canada

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