A recent study conducted by Canadian researchers found a correlation between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of stroke and future memory problems in healthy adults.
According to Fox News, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to examine the brains of about 9,000 participants, the researchers discovered small areas of brain damage more commonly in people who ate large amounts of ultra-processed foods, such as soft drinks, packaged snacks and sugary breakfast cereals.
Those with the highest intake of ultra-processed foods were 40% more likely to show these changes in the brain, which can go undetected because they don’t produce obvious symptoms, Medical Xpress reported.
These brain changes can, however, be early warning signs in the years before the onset of a stroke or memory problems.
These findings were unexpected, according to Russel J. de Souza, first author of the study and an associate scientist at the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences.
de Souza told Medical Xpress, "Usually, this kind of damage is associated with conditions we hear about and treat at a much older age.”
He noted that the study focused on "middle-aged Canadians who had no heart problems and reported no other health concerns."
The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open, included participants between the ages of 35 and 69.
Participants who ate the most ultra-processed foods held more body fat and visceral fat, which is linked to various health concerns including heart disease.
The study found an overall stronger connection between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and brain damage among female participants.
Women in the highest consumption group had nearly twice the likelihood of exhibiting signs of brain damage as opposed to those in the lowest consumption group.
