Highly Processed Foods Found Harmful to an Aging Brain

(Newswire.net — March 30, 2022) Orlando, FL — Multiple research studies have shown that intake of highly processed foods is associated with undesirable health outcomes. Researchers even warn that it could be particularly detrimental to brain health. 

A study has shown that having a diet of highly processed food led to a strong inflammatory response in the brains of aging rats. Such an effect was also accompanied by behavioral signs of memory loss. 

It is worth keeping in mind neuroinflammation and cognitive issues were not observed in young adult rats that followed a processed diet. 

The investigators created a diet mimicking ready-to-eat human foods that are usually packaged for long shelf lives, such as frozen entrees like pasta dishes and pizzas, potato chips and other snacks, and deli meats containing preservatives.

It is important to note that highly processed diets are linked with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is why it is important for older people to reduce their intake of convenience foods since their harm to the aging brain was evident in just four weeks. 

“The fact we’re seeing these effects so quickly is a little bit alarming,” said senior study author Ruth Barrientos.

Barrientos is an investigator in The Ohio State University Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral health.

“These findings indicate that consumption of a processed diet can produce significant and abrupt memory deficits — and in the aging population, rapid memory decline has a greater likelihood of progressing into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. By being aware of this, maybe we can limit processed foods in our diets and increase consumption of foods that are rich in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA to either prevent or slow that progression.”

The findings of this research were published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.

Scientists have long been warning against the health impacts of substances found in processed food. When they accumulate, they are thought to increase the risk of certain health issues. 

It is wise to reduce or avoid intake of these foods and ensure that the body is not struggling from the toxic burden. It is also worth noting that certain measures like a body detox may be helpful in protecting the body from the dangerous impacts of toxins. 

There are remedies like the use of activated charcoal that may be helpful. It is worth noting that this remedy has a highly porous surface that serves as a magnet to chemicals and toxins. 

Today, formulas like Divine Bounty Activated Charcoal are widely used by consumers who are trying to benefit from the healing goodness of this remedy (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NZ5G57).