Summary
- A study conducted by Sao Paulo University in Brazil along with Monash University and Deakin University in Australia found that excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods increases the risk of factors linked to poor concentration and dementia.
- The findings showed that even a slight increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods leads to a significant decline in attention and cognitive performance.
- According to the study, just a 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake is enough to cause this effect.
Do you often struggle to stay focused while working? If yes, a new habit related to your diet may be the cause. This has been revealed in a recent medical study.
A study conducted by Sao Paulo University in Brazil along with Monash University and Deakin University in Australia found that excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods increases the risk of factors linked to poor concentration and dementia.
Ultra-processed foods are those that undergo multiple stages of processing during preparation and contain high amounts of salt, sugar and artificial ingredients while having very low levels of beneficial nutrients such as fiber.
These foods include bread, fast food, sweets, candies, cakes, salty snacks, breakfast cereals, chicken and fish nuggets, instant noodles, sugary drinks and sodas. Such foods have already been linked to several chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer and now the study has highlighted another harmful effect.
The study included more than 2,100 middle-aged individuals whose dietary and cognitive health data was analyzed. All participants were dementia-free at the beginning of the research. The findings showed that even a slight increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods leads to a significant decline in attention and cognitive performance.
According to the study, just a 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake is enough to cause this effect. In simple terms, eating an extra packet of chips in your daily routine could harm your ability to concentrate.
On average, participants were getting 41% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods. Researchers noted that regardless of the overall quality of a person’s diet even a small amount of ultra-processed food is enough to negatively affect brain function.
They further explained that these foods contain harmful ingredients that impact health. Excessive consumption increases risks such as high blood pressure and obesity which in the long term can contribute to dementia and impaired brain health. The study findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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