Ultra-processed foods like fries, chips, burgers, candy, soft drinks, and ice cream are making people physically and mentally ill. A study has revealed that excessive consumption of such foods increases the risk of stroke along with a decline in the ability to think, understand, read, learn, and remember.

The results of the study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have been published in the journal Neurology. This study has been done on 30,239 people aged 45 years or above in the US. They were monitored for about eleven years. Researchers have examined how much of their food was highly processed. At the beginning of the study, all these people had no history of stroke or decline in the ability to think and understand. By the end of the study, cognitive impairment i.e. decline in the ability to think and understand was observed in 768 people while the problem of stroke was found in 1,108.

Stroke problem increased by 8%

According to research, about 14% of adults and 12% of children in the world are addicted to ultra-processed foods. People's attachment to these foods has increased almost as much as alcohol and tobacco.

A 10% increase in the consumption of highly processed foods increased the risk of memory problems by 16%. On the other hand, the risk decreased by 12% by consuming unprocessed food. Similarly, consuming it increased the risk of stroke by eight, while reducing it reduced the risk of stroke by nine.

People should pay attention to what they are eating

Dr. W. Taylor Kimberly, Professor at Massachusetts General Hospital, says that every person should not only pay attention to what he is eating but should also consider how it is made. Limited consumption of these foods can prove helpful in keeping the brain healthy.

3 million deaths every year due to excessive salt intake
The data of the World Health Organization also shows that more than 3 million people are dying every year due to excessive salt (sodium) intake. Along with this, the risk of blood pressure and heart-related diseases is also increasing due to this.

What are ultra-processed foods
When naturally obtained food products are processed at many levels so that they remain edible for many days or when their natural structure is changed by deep frying, then such food products are called ultra-processed foods. These usually contain more sugar, fat, salt, and less protein and fiber.

(PC: Freepik)