TUESDAY, Aug. 30, 2022 (HealthDay News) — People who report higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are much more likely to report worse mental health symptoms, a published study finds. online July 28 at public health nutrition.
Eric M. Hecht, MD, Ph.D., of Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt School of Medicine in Boca Raton, and colleagues evaluated whether people who consume higher amounts of UPF have more adverse mental health symptoms . The analysis included data from 10,359 adult participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007 to 2012).
The researchers found that people with the highest level of UPF consumption were significantly more likely to report at least mild depression (odds ratio, 1.81), more mentally unhealthy days per month (relative risk, 1.22), and more anxious days per month (hazard ratio, 1.19). Similarly, those with the highest UPF intake were significantly less likely to report zero mentally unhealthy (odds ratio, 0.60) or anxious (odds ratio, 0.65) days.
“The ultra-processing of foods depletes their nutritional value and also increases the number of calories, as ultra-processed foods tend to be high in added sugar, saturated fat and salt, while being low in protein, fiber, vitamins , minerals and phytochemicals,” Hecht said in a statement. “More than 70% of packaged foods in the US are classified as ultra-processed foods and account for about 60% of all calories consumed by Americans. Given the magnitude of exposure and the effects of consumption of ultra-processed foods, our study has important clinical effects and implications for public health.
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