Study: Ultra Processed Food Can Change Brain Structure
JAKARTA - Ultra-processed food (ultra-processed food/UPG) if consumption is not limited can have bad effects on various organs of the body, including the brain. Recent studies found a link between UPF consumption and changes in brain structure, which triggered excessive eating behavior.
The study analyzed brain scans of more than 30 thousand participants and found real differences in the brain of people who often consume UPF. The difference is thought to have formed a kind of recurrent cycle, in which the brain encourages a lot of appetite, a pattern that resembles food addiction.
One of the main authors of a study from Helsinki University, Arsene Kanyamibwa, said that the relationship between UPF consumption and changes in brain structure is not fully explained due to obesity and inflammation factors. The materials contained in the UPF are said to play a role in the change.
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The typical additional ingredients in the UPF, such as emulsifiers, may also play a role, said Arsene, quoted from Science Daily, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
The UPF generally contains industrially modified chemicals. Various artificial additive substances are also found in the UPF, such as dyes, taste, preservatives, and emulsifiers.
Some types of UPF that are often found in the market are sausages, nuggets, soft drinks, packaged snacks, to various fast foods.
Consumption of these foods has long been associated with various health risks in the body. Starting from increasing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and based on this latest study can cause injury to brain structure and interfere with its function.
Arsene said that the results of this study add important evidence about how modern eating patterns such as routine UPF consumption can affect overall health. With that, the public is asked to reduce the consumption of UPF and the government of each country to tighten food industry regulations.
"With more and more scientific evidence, reducing UPF consumption and tightening food industry regulations can be an important step for public health," he concluded.