Written by Tyler Durden
Written by George Citroner through The Epoch Times (emphasis on ours),
Ultra Processed Food (UPF) can virtually reprogram the brain to force you to overeat are, according to studies that have analyzed brain scans of nearly 30,000 middle-aged adults and have shown structural changes in regions that control hunger and appetite for food.
"We present evidence that the consumption of UPF increases respective nutrients and metabolic markers of the illness and is associated with structural changes in the brain in areas that regulate nutritional behavior," wrote the authors of the study.
Key brain changes identified
A study, late published in Nature, showed that people who consumed more UPF showed measurable differences in brain areas active in nutrition, emotion and motivation.
Higher UPF intake was associated with an increased thickness of the bilateral lateral occipital cortex - a region of the brain crucial for visual object designation and form processing. This discovery suggests changes in the way the brain processes visual nutrition signals.
"Our findings indicate that advanced intakes of highly processed food are linked to structural changes in brain regions regulating nutritional behaviour, specified as the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the right reclining nucleus. This can lead to a cycle of overeating," he said in press release Arsène Kanyamibwa, first investigation author and PhD student at the University of Helsinki.
The survey besides revealed the possible biological mechanics behind these changes in the brain. Researchers have found that increased UPF intake was associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation and risky metabolic markers in the blood, including C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation; triglycerides; and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). advanced levels of CRP, triglycerides and HbA1c are frequently considered to be an indicator of possible wellness problems.
Unsurprising results, says expert
The results "do not surprise me at all," said Dr. Joseph Mercola, certified household doctor and author of the book "Your Guide to Cellular Health", who was not active in the study.
He pointed to earlier Investigations Showing that only 5 days of eating highly processed food can "bring short" insulin signal in the brain. This is crucial due to the fact that insulin is not just a blood sugar hormone. "This is virtually a transportation service that transports glucose, preferred cell fuel, to the place where it is most needed - to the brain".
The brain needs insulin as energy – it consumes 20 percent of body energy, even though it accounts for only 2 percent of its weight – so erstwhile insulin cannot do its job, the centers of appetite control in the brain work on fumes.
UPF are designed to be "Hyperspasm"with combinations of sugar, fat and salt, which rapidly stimulate dopamine-driven reward routes, encouraging multiple consumption.
Mercola added that this breakdown is ruining our ability to feel full, reduce appetite and make solid food decisions. "Moreover, ultra-processed foods trigger dopamine pathways, like addictive drugs, creating strong signals "eat more".
Direct effects on the brain
Scientists have noted that UPF, which contains chemically modified ingredients and additives specified as emulsifiers, can change the brain through pathways independent of obesity. Emulsifiers may Effects on brain by interfering with neurotransmitters, causing inflammation of the nerves and changing intestinal microbiota.
The survey looked at factors specified as nutrient content, socio-economic status, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption.
The discovery undermines the thought that obesity is only about consuming besides much calories, said The Epoch Times Avery Zenker, a registered nutritionist in MyHealthTeam and EverFlex Fitness who holds a master's degree in nutrition and was not active in the study. The survey highlights how additives and food processing affect the brain in a way that promotes overeating.
"Calory is calorie, but the kind of food from which it comes plays a crucial function in how we eat and how much we eat" – said Zenker. "I think it's besides comforting to people who hear that if they feel out of control with ultra processed food, there's nothing incorrect with them."
Ultraprocessed food is defined by the NOVA classification strategy as industrial preparations containing ingredients that are not usually utilized in home cooking, specified as corn syrup with advanced fructose content, oils, salt, stabilisers, antioxidants and various chemical additives.
A increasing number of evidence
Scientists note that their findings, in addition to erstwhile studies, propose that it is time for regulatory action.
One of these studies, involving over 114,000 adult Americans and published last year in The BMJhas shown that the consumption of UPF, in peculiar processed meat, sweet breakfast products and sugar or artificially sweetened beverages, was associated with a 4% higher hazard of mortality from any origin and 8% higher hazard of death from neurodegenerative diseases.
"Given the expanding number of evidence, reducing the consumption of ultra-processed food and strengthening regulatory standards in food production can be a key step towards better results in public health" – said Kanyamibwa.
Zenker said the fresh survey is consistent with many existing investigation on ultraprocessed food.
"While erstwhile studies consistently combined UPF with wellness conditions specified as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease," she said, "this survey goes on, exploring direct structural changes in the brain, especially in regions related to reward, hunger and self-regulation".
Zenker noted that UPF are frequently rich in sugar, sodium, fat and carbohydrates and mediocre in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. "We know that this combination tends to bind to adverse wellness outcomes".
Scientists have admitted to the limitations in their study, noting that although they have found links between UPF intake and brain lesions, they cannot yet prove a causal relationship. The effects were besides comparatively small.
"Given the observational nature of the study, we cannot regulation out the fact that food processing is only part of the equation," wrote the authors of the study. Kanyamibwa said proving a causal relation would require "further longitudinal or experimental evidence".
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.zerohedge.com/
