Key Points
- An association exists between people who obtain a higher percentage of their daily energy from ultra-processed foods and suffering cognitive decline, a large study with long-term follow-up released Monday suggests.
- Overall, 58% of the calories consumed in the U.S., 57% of British, 48% of Canadian, and 30% of Brazilian diets come from ultra-processed foods, the scientists said.
- That includes sweet and savory snacks, confectionery, breakfast cereals, ice cream, sugar-sweetened beverages, processed meats and ready-to-eat frozen meals.
- Study participants at the upper end of ultra-processed food consumption — for whom the daily energy percentage contribution of such foods was above 19.9% — showed a 28% faster rate of global cognitive decline, and a 25% faster rate of decline in executive function — the mental skills used every day to learn, work and manage daily life.
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