Processed foods are dangerous for the brain

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Fast food and any semi-finished products are harmful and even dangerous for the stomach. However, a new study by Brazilian scientists has proven that such food has a negative effect on brain function.

Researchers studied the impact of highly processed foods. These are not only popular hamburgers or pizza, but also familiar products from supermarket shelves: cereals, chips, pastries, packaged soups, cutlets from boxes and much more.

Preservatives for long-term food storage, flavor enhancers and dyes are added to the composition of such products. In addition, such dishes contain a large amount of sugar, salt and fat.

Specialists from the School of Medicine at the University of São Paulo concluded that such food worsens cognitive abilities and brain health. They conducted their study for 10 years. Scientists monitored the eating habits and brain condition of 10 thousand people. The head of the scientific work, Dr. Natalia Gonçalves, noted that the most common foods in the volunteers' diet included hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, toasted bread and instant noodles.

In people whose diets consisted of 75% of ultra-processed foods, overall cognitive functions declined almost 30% faster with age than in those who tried to limit the consumption of such foods.

Doctors recommend adjusting the diet towards a balanced diet, which will include unprocessed foods, fresh fruits, vegetables and clean drinking water. To prevent degenerative brain diseases, it is also advised to avoid physical activity.