Study Links 10% More Ultra-Processed Food to 0.54-Point Memory Drop in Young Adults
Updated
Updated · PsyPost · Jun 24
Study Links 10% More Ultra-Processed Food to 0.54-Point Memory Drop in Young Adults
3 articles · Updated · PsyPost · Jun 24
Summary
A cross-sectional study of 416 university students aged 18 to 35 found higher ultra-processed food intake was associated with lower short-term memory scores and, more weakly, lower concentration.
Each 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed foods was tied to a 0.54-point drop in memory scores after adjusting for sleep, exercise, caffeine, smoking, supplements and psychological distress.
Memory scores stayed fairly stable below 20% of daily calories from ultra-processed foods, then declined more sharply; students in the highest intake group scored 17.59 versus 19.60 in the lowest.
Concentration also fell by 0.138 points for every 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake, though group differences lost statistical significance after full adjustment.
The authors said the findings do not prove causation because the study captured one point in time, but they argue the results extend concerns about ultra-processed foods beyond aging to brain function in early adulthood.
With junk food linked to memory loss, should governments regulate these products like tobacco?
Are all ultra-processed foods truly bad, or could some be harmless to our cognitive health?
Beyond personal choice, how can we fix a food system that makes unhealthy eating the easiest option?
Over Half of Calories from Ultra-Processed Foods: The Cognitive Crisis Facing Young Adults
Overview
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are now a major part of modern diets, especially among young adults, due to their extensive industrial processing and widespread availability. In countries like the United States and Australia, UPFs make up a large share of daily calorie intake, and their consumption is rising quickly in places like India. This high intake is linked to negative effects on cognitive health, including increased risks of attention problems and dementia. The report highlights that these trends are especially concerning for young people, who are forming lifelong eating habits, making it urgent to address UPF consumption to protect future brain health.