Ultra-processed food IS addictive, scientists confirm

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as first-of-its-kind study reveals how consuming it 'rewires' the brain​


Ultra processed foods have long been linked to obesity, heart disease, and dementia but now scientists say regular consumption could physically alter the brain, perpetuating a vicious cycle of overeating.

Evidence suggests these foods—which often contain additives, emulsifiers and preservatives to enhance flavour and prolong shelf life—have contributed to the steady increase of many obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia.

In the study, published in the journal Nature, experts set out to determine whether these brain changes occur simply as a result of weight gain or through mechanisms independent of obesity.

An international team of scientists analysed brain scans from over 33,000 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank study and found people who ate more ultra-processed foods had significantly altered brains which could explain food addiction.

'Our findings suggest that higher consumption of ultra processed foods is associated with differences in the brain,' Professor Arsène Kanyamibwa an expert in brain science at the University of Helsinki and study co-author, explains.

'These associations could be linked to behavioural patterns such as overeating, though causal relationships cannot be confirmed by our study.

'The observed associations are not solely explained by inflammation or obesity; ingredients and additives typical to UPFs, such as emulsifiers may also play a role.'

In the study, researchers followed 33,654 middle-age participants who completed an online dietary questionnaire and blood tests around eight years before having a brain scan.

More here....

Ultra-processed food IS addictive, scientists confirm
 

What is processed.. and Ultra Processed foods...

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When the brain's regulation of hunger is impaired, and its reward circuits are overstimulated, people may crave more of these foods despite being full, and lose control of over how much they eat.

The researchers concluded that damage to this brain circuit, involved in food liking and cravings, 'may favour maladaptive eating, like more ultra processed foods, and metabolic disease, further perpetuating a vicious cycle.'

In brain regions involved in rewards and motivation, however—like the nucleus accumbens and pallidum—eating more ultraprocessed foods was associated with signs of reduced cell density and increased water content.

According to the researchers, these changes could reflect early signs of cognitive decline, brain shrinkage and cell loss—which could weaken self-control around food and reinforce compulsive eating habits.
 
I don’t know of any packaged foods that my wife buys. I know they are also high in sodium, which is used as a preservative.
I went grocery shopping with my wife just a few days ago, (1 of the few times a year that I go along), and I can’t remember seeing any packaged foods at the checkout. I did see a few cans of tomato soup (yuck) and a can of peaches in natural juice. We don’t eat cereals, except for oatmeal. Is that a cereal? She makes a delicious baked blueberry oatmeal that I usually eat about 2/3rds of it.
 
I do think taste buds are effected also. Example: I had baked Coconut Cream Pies for
our family and my son was delighted to receive it, he savored it and had that dreamy
look on his face.
My Gr-D had not had one of mine as yet only store bought frozen ones. She honestly
rated my pie as not tasting as good to her as the frozen ones did. She also mentioned
my pie didn't stay in her mouth as long. Meaning the texture was thicker/denser so mine
melted faster.
It's interesting to give kids a taste test and have them really describe the differences.
 
The irony of it all is that only the first couple of bites of sugar laden ultra-processed food actually tastes really good but subsequent mouthfuls lose that wow factor.
So if you only taste these foods you actually savor it more.

If you're hungry, eat healthy food.

If after eating and feeling less hungry you want to sample a cake or whatever, then taste it but don't over indulge.
 
Unfortunately, even the unprocessed foods may also not be so great. More and more I have been trying to buy organic. And find locally raised grass-fed beef or free range poultry if you can. We eat mostly venison, which is the ultimate grass fed meat.

I routinely throw out ultra-processed foods, like frozen dinners, that my father-in-law brings us. And for me, that is quite unusual as I was raised to never waste food. But this stuff is not food!
 
Hershey bars were probably the most favorite of ours as a kid for chocolate.
Can you recall when you 1st tasted that change in them?
I remember it, just can't place how old I was when it happened and haven't bought one since.
Very obvious taste change.
 
As the primary grocery shopper and cook, I buy few processed foods. What I do buy is minimal….bread for our one slice of toast a day, canned beans for chili or Mexican dishes, cheese to grate, cookies…..we each have one as our after dinner “dessert.”

Everything else is as fresh and unprocessed as I can find. I often get comments in the checkout line when folks see my cart loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables! 🤣

But I’ll also eat a small slice of cake at a birthday party, a slice of pizza if it’s offered, a scoop of Mac n cheese at a barbecue. Those occasional cheats that I allow myself are what keeps me on track the rest of the time!
 
Ronni said:
As the primary grocery shopper and cook, I buy few processed foods. What I do buy is minimal….bread for our one slice of toast a day, canned beans for chili or Mexican dishes, cheese to grate, cookies…..we each have one as our after dinner “dessert.”

Everything else is as fresh and unprocessed as I can find. I often get comments in the checkout line when folks see my cart loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables! 🤣

But I’ll also eat a small slice of cake at a birthday party, a slice of pizza if it’s offered, a scoop of Mac n cheese at a barbecue. Those occasional cheats that I allow myself are what keeps me on track the rest of the time!
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It would a hard task to avoid ever eating any of it and be able to enjoy a social event
 
I’ve got my three score and ten.

Eating is one of the few pleasures or vices that I have left so I will continue to enjoy some of the ultra processed foods.

I do try to limit added sugar due to diabetes.

I also look at calorie density so I can bulk up the portion size while keeping overall calories down, that in itself restricts portion size for many processed and ultra processed foods.

Basically, go big on green foods and go easy on red foods.
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I try to follow JERF - Just Eat Real Food. I’m not 100% successful, more like 80%. But, it’s still far better than my previous diet that had me adding an inch every year or two to my belt size.
 
Brookswood said:
I try to follow JERF - Just Eat Real Food. I’m not 100% successful, more like 80%. But, it’s still far better than my previous diet that had me adding an inch every year or two to my belt size.
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I remember reading the dietary label on something one time, and wondering how much FOOD was actually in it. I can't remember, it may have been ice cream.
 

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