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Ultra-processed foods are bad for the brain The more you eat these foods, the higher your risk of cognitive problems and stroke, researchers report Less processed foods were associated with lower risk of brain problems and stroke THURSDAY, May 22, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Ultra-processed foods are bad for more than your waistline: New research shows they seem to raise the risk of stroke and dementia -related memory or thinking problems. A 10% increase in the amount of ultra-processed foods a person eats is associated with a 16% higher risk of cognitive problems, researchers found. Likewise, greater intake of ultra-processed foods is linked to an 8% increased risk of stroke, results show.

“Our findings show that the degree of food processing plays an important role in overall brain health,” said researcher Dr. W. Taylor Kimberly , a critical care neurologist with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.



Ultra-processed foods typically are factory-made fare containing high levels of sugar, fat and salt. They’re a patchwork of ingredients, additives and preservatives engineered for flavor and shelf-life. Examples include chicken nuggets, frozen meals, hot dogs, canned soups, potato chips, soft drinks, sugary breakfast cereals, ice cream, packaged breads, and condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise.

Ultra-processed foods already have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, the Cleveland Clinic says. For this study, published May 22 in.

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