People who have consumed ultra-processed products food An analysis by the US-based nonprofit Sapiens Lab found that people who consumed these foods several times a day were more likely to suffer from poor mental health than those who rarely or never consumed these foods. They are nearly three times more likely to suffer. This was revealed in a report released on Monday.
UPF is loosely defined as food produced on an industrial scale and generally includes aerated beverages, packaged crisps and snacks, many sweets, and prepackaged heat-and-eat foods. included. “There is some debate about how to properly define a UPF. A simple rule of thumb is that if it involves ingredients you don’t have on hand or processing that you can’t do in your home kitchen, it probably qualifies. “, the neuroscientist said. Tara ThiagarajanFounder of the Sapiens Research Institute.
In India, a study was conducted among English- and Hindi-speaking individuals with internet access, and the results mirrored global trends. India is one of the fastest growing markets for ultra-processed foods, with retail sales in this sector growing at a compound annual growth rate of 13.37% from 2011 to 2021, according to a WHO study. is of particular concern. Over the next decade, UPF is projected to grow faster than both India’s GDP growth and the increase in consumption of essential food items.
Past studies have linked UPF to health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, and recent studies have even found a correlation with UPF. depression. The current study, which spans 26 countries, goes a step further by uncovering links between these foods and various mental health parameters.
We all know that processed foods are harmful to the body. This new and extensive research reveals that it can also cause mental health problems. Moral of the story: Avoid or at least minimize your intake of processed foods. You are obligated to do so.
“This study looks at the complete profile of symptoms on a continuum. It also shows that depressive symptoms worsen with higher frequency of UPF intake, but it also shows that the full spectrum of mental functioning beyond depression “It shows that there is a continued decline in the ability to regulate thoughts and emotions, particularly in the following areas,” Thiagarajan said.
Of the 24 mental function parameters affected by UPF intake, the study found that depressive symptoms such as sadness, distress, and hopelessness, as well as appetite regulation, were most strongly affected in both men and women. .
The study found that mental health tended to decline with increasing frequency of UPF intake across gender, income, and age groups, and was independent of exercise frequency.
“This suggests a causal relationship,” the study concluded. “The breadth and nature of symptoms suggests that ultra-processed foods may mediate widespread physiological dysregulation of mental processes. “This may be a major contributing factor to the increased burden on mental health among young people aged 18 to 24, who are twice as likely to consume food,” the report said.
The study was conducted as part of the SAPIEN Institute’s Global Mind Project, which researches mental health around the world. The project uses an assessment called the Mental Health Index, which collects data across 47 aspects of mental health, along with information on demographics, lifestyle, and life experiences. The data will be available to academic and non-profit research organizations, the SAPIEN Institute said.
The study found a causal link between UPF and mental health, and hopes it will spur research into the mechanisms by which such foods affect the brain. Societal movements to reduce ultra-processed foods may therefore play an important role in reducing the burden on mental health,” the study said.
