According to a study, eating too many ultra-processed foods could accelerate cognitive decline and the development of certain diseases.
Prepared meals, sodas, aperitif biscuits… All these foods have in common that they belong to the family of ultra-processed foods. Omnipresent on supermarket shelves, they are appreciated because they save time in the kitchen or are sweeter. However, ultra-processed foods are harmful to health.
On his site, Manger Bouger reminds us that these products can represent health risks. Among other things, they would promote weight gain because they are higher in sugar, salt and fat. At the same time, several studies conducted around the world are looking at the impact of excessive consumption on our health.
One of these studies was the subject of a presentation at the international conference of the Alzheimer Association. She revealed that overeating ultra-processed foods significantly accelerated cognitive decline.
A divisive study
To arrive at this observation, the researchers studied the eating habits of 8,000 Brazilian volunteers for 9 years. All were required to consume an average of 2,850 calories per day.
However, they had to specify to the researchers whether they consumed mostly ultra-processed foods or fresh products. To our knowledge that in the majority of volunteers, 28% of the calories consumed during the day came from the offending foods.
At the same time, the volunteers regularly took part in cognitive tests. However, the people consuming the most of these products were the most impacted. Their cognitive functions are reduced, unlike people with a lighter or healthier diet. Nevertheless, the results are still the subject of debate within the scientific community.
Indeed, the study in question has not yet been published in a specialized journal. Moreover, some specialists believe that the data is not applicable to other countries.
Measures to limit the consumption of ultra-processed foods
The reason given is that in the West or in North America, the diet is naturally higher in refined grains, processed meats, sugar and fats. Nevertheless, the danger of ultra-processed foods is valid all over the world.
More and more studies are finding links between this increasing consumption and weight gain, the development of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers and a shorter lifespan.
In order to preserve cognitive functions, specialists therefore recommend having a balanced diet. Thus, the American Heart Association recommends a diet of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein (while limiting highly processed foods).