Anna Devinskaya, a biochemist and expert in nutrition and food behavior, reported that excessive consumption of fast food can negatively affect cognitive abilities and disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.
The scientist points out that ultra-processed foods, such as potato chips, burgers, sugary drinks and ready-made pastries, are not only easy and quick to consume, but also have a nutritional composition that lacks many of the elements necessary for brain health.
She pointed out that these foods contain high amounts of saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, salt and additives, which makes their nutritional value limited compared to the needs of the body and brain.
According to her, a study of 10,775 people showed that individuals who obtained a large percentage of their daily calories from fast food experienced a faster decline in cognitive abilities during an eight-year follow-up period.
She said: "The rate of overall cognitive decline was 28% higher in these individuals, while the rate of decline in executive functions was 25% higher compared to those who consumed less ultra-processed food."
Devinskaya emphasized that executive functions play a key role in decision-making, planning, task management, and adapting to different situations, noting that excessive consumption of sugary and highly processed foods can negatively affect verbal skills and information processing speed.
She added that the precise mechanisms behind these effects are still being studied, but scientists have identified a number of possible pathways, including low-grade chronic inflammation, disruption of the gut microbiome balance, oxidative stress, as well as the direct effect of saturated fats on the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex in the brain.
She noted that 78.5% of published studies in this field documented a link between excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods and a decline in cognitive performance, including memory, executive functions, and general cognition. However, a direct causal relationship still requires further scientific evidence.
She concluded by emphasizing that the results available so far are highly consistent, highlighting the importance of paying attention to healthy nutrition and its role in maintaining brain efficiency and mental abilities, especially when facing tasks that require focus and important decision-making.
