Ultra-processed food consumption affects structural integrity of feeding-related brain regions independent of and via adiposity

Eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is known to boost overall calorie intake and has been linked to obesity, heart disease, and changes in brain structure. However, the reasons behind this increased intake and whether the health risks stem mainly from body fat or specific UPF components remain unclear. This study by Morys et al. (2025) utilized data from the UK Biobank to investigate the relationship between UPF consumption and body fat, metabolic health, and brain anatomy. The results show that a high intake of UPFs is associated with unhealthy levels of body fat and poor metabolic markers, as well as alterations in brain cell structure in areas related to appetite and food intake. Some of these effects are attributed to high cholesterol, systemic inflammation, and body mass index (BMI), suggesting that Eating ultra-processed foods have a broader impact on the brain, extending beyond simply causing weight gain. These brain changes may disrupt appetite regulation, potentially fueling a cycle of continued UPF consumption. [NPID: Ultra-processed foods, caloric intake, obesity, brain structure, metabolism, dyslipidemia, inflammation, body mass index, appetite regulation, subcortical brain regions]

Year: 2025

Reference: Morys, F., Kanyamibwa, A., Fängström, D., Tweedale, M., Pastor-Bernier, A., Azizi, H., Liu, L., Horstmann, A., & Dagher, A. (2025). Ultra-processed food consumption affects structural integrity of feeding-related brain regions independent of and via adiposity. Npj Metabolic Health and Disease, 3(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44324-025-00056-3

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