Middle-aged adults who ate the most ultra-processed food had 40% higher odds of showing small areas of hidden brain damage on MRI scans than those who ate the least, according to a study of 8,783 Canadians published Oct. 15 in JAMA Network Open.
The study is observational and captured diet and brain scans at a single point in time. It shows an association, not proof that ultra-processed food caused the damage. The researchers adjusted for many lifestyle and health factors but said longer studies are needed to establish which came first.
