Those who consumed ultra-processed foods (UPFs) several times a day were nearly three times more likely to be distressed or struggling with their mental health as compared to those who rarely or never consumed these foods, responses from nearly 3 lakh people worldwide analysed by US-based nonprofit, Sapiens Labs, revealed in the report released Monday.
UPFs are loosely defined as foods produced on an industrial scale and generally include aerated drinks, packaged chips and snacks, many confectionary items and pre-packaged heat-and-eat meals. “There is some controversy on how to properly define UPFs. The simple rule of thumb is that if it contains ingredients you don’t have and processing that you can’t do in a home kitchen then it probably qualifies,” said neuro-scientist Tara Thiagarajan, founder of Sapiens Labs.
In India, where the study was conducted among internet-enabled English and Hindi-speaking individuals, the findings closely mirrored global trends. This would be of particular concern because India is one of the fastest-growing markets for ultra-processed foods, with the WHO finding that this sector grew at a compound annual growth rate of 13.37% in retail sales value between 2011 to 2021. Over the next decade, UPFs are projected to grow faster than both India’s GDP growth and rise in consumptions of essential food items.
Studies in the past have linked UPFs with health conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart ailments, and some recent ones have even found correlations with depression. The current study, spread across 26 countries, goes a step further by revealing links of these foods with a range of mental health parameters.
We all know that processed food is harmful to the body. This new and extensive study reveals that it can also cause problems of the mind. Moral of the story: Avoid, or at least minimise, processed food intake. You owe it to yourself.
“The study looks at the complete profile of symptoms on a continuum. While it also indicates that depression symptoms get worse with higher frequency of UPF consumption, we show there is a continuum of degradation across all domains of mental function beyond depression, in particular with the ability to regulate your thoughts and emotions,” said Thiagarajan.
Among 24 mental function parameters impacted by UPF consumption, the study found that depression symptoms such as feelings of sadness, distress and hopelessness as well as appetite regulation are most strongly impacted in both males and females.
The study found the trend of decline in mental wellbeing with increased frequency of UPF intake across gender, income and age groups, and was independent of the frequency of exercise.
“This suggests a causal relationship,” the study concludes. “The breadth and nature of symptoms suggests that ultra-processed food may mediate a widespread physiological dysregulation of mental processes. UPFs may be a substantial driver of the growing mental health burden, particularly in young adults aged 18-24, who are twice as likely to consume such food daily compared to adults 45 and older,” it says.
The study was a part of Sapien Labs’ Global Mind Project, which studies mental wellbeing across the world. The project uses an assessment called the Mental Health Quotient which collects data across 47 aspects of mental wellbeing, together with information on demographics, lifestyle and life experience. The data is available for academic and nonprofit research organisations, Sapien Labs said
While the study has found a causal relationship between UPFs and mental health, it hopes this will spur research into the mechanisms through which such foods impact the brain. A societal move towards less ultra-processed diets can therefore play a substantial role in mitigating the mental health burden,” the study says.