Labelling some foods as “addictive” could help people change their diets, scientists have said, as estimates suggest that one in seven adults and one in eight children could be hooked on ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
Researchers said the way some people consume foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates could “meet the criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder”.
Behaviours which could meet these criteria include intense cravings, symptoms of withdrawal, less control over intake, and continued use despite such consequences as obesity, binge eating disorder, poorer physical and mental health, and lower quality of life.
A team of international researchers pointed to an analysis of 281 studies from 36 different countries. The review found that “ultra-processed food addiction” is estimated to occur in 14 per cent of adults and 12 per cent of children.
So what are ultra-processed foods?
What are ultra-processed foods?
The British Heart Foundation defines ultra-processed food as products that “typically have five or more ingredients” and have “industrial substances” such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners and artificial flavours.
Examples include sausages, ice cream, breakfast cereals, fizzy drinks, ready-made meals, and spirits, including gin, rum and whisky, because of the distillation after fermentation.
The only sure way to find out whether a product is ultra-processed is by looking at the packaging label. If you see a long list of ingredients that you don’t recognise, it will be heavily processed. Other red flags include high fat, sugar and salt content, a suspiciously long shelf life (with the exception of UHT milk), and aggressively strong branding.
Those who consumed these foods on a regular basis had a 25 per cent faster decline in executive functioning – mental skills including memory and self-control.
For the minimum recommendation of 2,000 calories a day, eating 400 calories in ultra-processed foods would hit the 20 per cent limit.
Which foods are best for cognitive function?
Mediterranean diets have been noted for possibly reducing dementia risks, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.
There is some evidence that unprocessed foods, such as fruit, vegetables and legumes, help reduce the chance of developing memory and reasoning problems later in life.
The typical Mediterranean diet is also low in red meat, sugar and saturated fats such as butter, lard, and ghee.
Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables can prevent or delay certain types of cell damage to the brain.
Along with higher levels of protein, inflammation caused by chemical changes in the brain’s immune system can also be reduced.
Studies have shown that this lifestyle is associated with lower rates of heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, and strokes.
Can ultra-processed foods be good for you?
Top nutrition experts have claimed that it is wrong to give all ultra-processed items a bad name. The British Nutrition Foundation says that foods like baked beans, fish fingers, and wholemeal bread can all form part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation.
Other items that are said to be fine as part of a healthy diet are wholegrain cereals, fruit yoghurts, and tomato-based pasta sauces.
The BNF charity said: “They are a source of ‘important nutrients’, as well as being ‘convenient and affordable’.”