The New Science on What Ultra-Processed Food Does to Your Brain.

New research suggests that ultra-processed foods, such as chips and packaged snacks, may not only affect our bodies but also our brains. These foods can act like addictive substances, leading to changes in the way we learn, remember, and feel. Some scientists are even proposing a new mental-health condition called "ultra-processed food use disorder." While the science is still early and not all ultra-processed foods are equal, diets high in these foods have been linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mental health and sleep problems. The combination of high levels of fat and carbs in many ultra-processed foods, along with their rapid impact on the brain's reward system, may contribute to their addictive nature. Additionally, the gut microbiome and changes in the brain's reward system caused by these foods could also affect mental health. [Extracted from the article]