https://www.bmj.com/content/378/bmj.o1972/rr-1
BMJ British medical journal
Rapid response to:
The trouble with ultra-processed foods
BMJ 2022; 378 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1972 (Published 31 August 2022)
Cite this as: BMJ 2022;378:o1972
Rapid Response:
Re: The trouble with ultra-processed foods
Dear Editor
Ultra processed Foods and Brain Health
Ultra processed foods (UPFs) such as soft drinks, chips, chocolate, candy, ice cream, sweetened breakfast cereals, packaged soups, chicken nuggets, hotdogs, fries, and many more
are packed with added ingredients, including sugar, fat, and salt, and are low in protein and fiber.
A diet with amounts of soft drinks, chips, and other ultra processed foods are having an increased risk for dementia and other cerebrovascular diseases. It is harmful to the young and aging brain.
Brain involvement may be due to secondary effects from cerebrovascular lesions or due to chronic inflammation processes induced by UPFs.
These foods are associated with a faster rate of decline in both executive and global cognitive function.
For many years there has been a steady increase in consumption of UPFs worldwide. They are thought to induce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress and have been linked to a variety of ailments, such as overweight/obesity, cardiovascular disease, brain disorders and cancer.
For our brain health, brain and heart -- a healthy, balanced diet low in processed foods and high in whole, nutritional foods, such as vegetables and fruits is good.
An increase in the availability and consumption of fast foods, processed foods, and UPFs is due to a number of socioeconomic factors, including low access to healthy foods, less time to prepare foods from scratch, and an inability to afford whole foods.
A healthy diet, physical activity, and cognitive training help to brain health and extend life expectancy — and those extra years are more likely to be dementia free.
Competing interests: No competing interests
02 September 2022
M.A. Aleem
Professor of Neurology * Consultant Neurologist **
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Siruvathur Perambalur *ABC Hospital **
Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India
@drmaaleem
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