Always tired and in a bad mood? It’s all to blame on a particular food that we all eat
Teenagers in England get around two-thirds of their daily calorie needs from ultra-processed foods (UPF), with consumption remaining relatively stable over the last ten years, despite a slight decreasing trend.
This situation could partly explain the growing discomfort among the younger generations, since the UPF can affect not only body weight, but also the mood through the intestinal microbiota And the gut-brain axis.
A study conducted by epidemiologists of the Cambridge University and published on the European Journal of Nutrition analyzed data from 3,000 adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18, collected by the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Comparing the data from 2008-2009 with those from 2018-2019, a reduction in UPF consumption was observed from 68% to 63%, with an average of 66% in the period considered. This indicates an increase in awareness of the risks associated with these foods, hoping for further improvement.
The data also highlighted social and ethnic differences: adolescents from less well-off families and Caucasians tend to consume more UPF compared to their more affluent peers and those of other ethnic groups, who maintain more culinary traditions based on home-cooked foods.
The survey also showed that UPF use is higher in poorer areas of the country, such as the North, compared to the South and Greater London. Age also appears to play a positive role, with people over 18 showing a slight reduction in UPF use.
The impact of UPF on mental health is another critical aspect. Studies conducted in Brazil at the Department of Biological Science Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology have shown how a high-fat diet, typical of UPFs, alters the microbiota intestinal and serotonin-related gene expression, potentially influencing anxiety states in animal models. This further highlights the importance of promoting a healthy diet not only for physical but also mental well-being.
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