Tuesday 21/October/2025 – 06:29 PM
Scientists have warned that regular consumption of ultra-processed foods not only harms physical health, but may also lead to actual changes in the brain that make a person addicted to them, in a vicious cycle of overeating, according to what was published by the British newspaper Daily Mail.
Ultra-processed foods change the structure of the brain and cause food addiction
A new study published in the journal Nature revealed that these products may cause a rewiring in the brain circuits responsible for hunger and reward, which explains the difficulty of resisting eating them, after these foods have previously been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and dementia.
Dr. Arsene Kanyamibwa, a brain sciences expert at the University of Helsinki and a participant in the study, said: Our results indicate that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with distinct differences in brain structure, which may contribute to behavioral patterns such as overeating.
He added that these changes cannot be explained by obesity or inflammation alone, suggesting that additives and emulsifiers may play a direct role in affecting the brain.
Huge analysis reveals the relationship between food and the brain
The study was based on the analysis of brain scans of more than 33,000 participants in the British Biobank, and the researchers followed them over a period of eight years, during which they underwent nutritional tests and careful brain examinations.
The results showed that participants who obtained more than 46% of their calories from ultra-processed foods had changes in the areas of the brain responsible for hunger and appetite, especially in the hypothalamus, which regulates feelings of hunger and satiety.
Scientists observed a decrease in the average nerve proliferation in this region, which indicates an increase in inflammation and cell density. It is believed that this inflammation weakens the brain’s ability to control appetite, and enhances the desire to eat more unhealthy foods even when full.
The researchers also observed changes in areas of reward and motivation, such as the nucleus accumbens, represented by a decrease in cell density and an increase in water content, which are early indicators of cognitive decline and shrinkage of brain tissue, which may lead to a loss of control over eating habits.
The researchers also indicated that these changes may lead to compulsive and maladaptive eating, which contributes to an increase in metabolic diseases and keeps the individual stuck in a cycle of overeating, depression, and poor self-control, while the consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to structural changes in the brain in the areas that regulate eating behavior, which explains the continued consumption of them despite their obvious health harms.
What are ultra-processed foods?
Nutrition experts have confirmed that ultra-processed foods contain artificial colorings, sweeteners, preservatives, and emulsifiers intended to enhance flavor or extend shelf life. These foods include:
• Ready-to-eat and canned meals
• Potato chips
• Ice cream
• Tomato sauces and ketchup
Scientists have confirmed that these foods differ from traditional processed foods, such as cheese and fresh bread, as they provide very low nutritional value and lead to long-term neurological and nutritional imbalance.
The United Kingdom is one of the European countries that consumes these products the most, representing 57% of the national diet, which raises growing concerns about their public health implications.
