Most of us already know that processed foods aren’t great for our overall health, but what often gets overlooked is just how much of an effect they can have on our brains.
While convenient and tasty, many processed foods are loaded with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives that don’t just have an impact on our weight or size, but also interfere with the way our brains function. In fact, many of the processed snacks and foods we reach for out of convenience can shape our brain health just as much as our physical health. We spoke with health experts, including Dr. Carl Paige with the Medical Transformation Center and Nutritionist Lisa Schultz, about what can happen to our brains when we consistently eat too many processed foods. Read more below.
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You May Have Mood Swings And Feel More Stressed
So often we hear about how certain foods can make a negative impact on our weight, therefore affecting our appearance. However, not enough people discuss just how much eating lousy foods or processed foods with added ingredients can impact our mood and mental health. Many studies have shown that people who eat less processed foods and more wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins have better moods and decreased stress levels. That's because processed foods can almost take over your brain and subsequently harm your mental health without you even realizing it.
"Diets heavy in packaged snacks and sweets tend to raise overall inflammation and are linked with lower mood and higher stress reactivity," explains Schultz. "People susceptible to anxiety and depression see a huge difference in mood when cutting out processed sugars and snacks."
Additionally, Schultz adds that "processed carbs without fiber and added sugars can make you spike and crash glucose, which can leave you foggy, tired, and less focused a few hours later."
Your Memory Can Be Affected By Too Many Processed Foods
While it may not be the first side effect that comes to mind when thinking of how processed junk foods like chips, candies, packaged sweets, and more can harm your health, it turns out these products can actually affect your memory and cognitive function if consumed frequently over time.
Dr. Carl Paige says that processed foods "promote inflammation and augment neurodegeneration."
"They are typically high in things like refined sugars and refined grains, which promote pro-inflammatory cytokine release. This disrupts immune regulation and can lead to cognitive decline. They [also] spike glucose and insulin and contribute to insulin resistance in the brain. This impairs glucose utilization and can lead to memory deficits."
Because we live in a world where we're surrounded by processed foods, and not everyone is capable of eating the cleanest, healthiest, most natural foods in the world, you don't have to cut these products out of your life completely. However, it's worth keeping in mind just how much you rely on them and how often you eat them.
If you have access to cleaner foods and can cook at home, try swapping out a few pre-made meals and snacks for some fresh ones, and your brain will thank you for it!
