The CNP Sugar, Ultra-Processed, and Hyper-Palatability Research Category consolidates research exploring the interdependent relationship between dietary intake, sugar, ‘ultra-processed foods’ (UPFs), and hyper-palatable foods (HPFs). To view each original study on the open internet, click “Original.” To view the CNP-written abstract summary, click “CNP Summary.” While only some of the CNP-written abstract summaries are available below for free, all abstract summaries are available to CNP members through the CNP Library Membership.
This 2019 paper explains that sugar intake alters neural plasticity, resulting in reduced impulse control and less power to resist fatty and sugary foods, contributing to the obesity epidemic. There is a large overlap between the neural pathways involved in emotions that guide behavioral responses to survival situations and those regulating overconsumption of ‘tasty’ but usually unhealthy foods. This implies that gathering data on the role of stress and emotions in obesity development may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic strategies. There is a great deal of evidence supporting the hypothesis that sucrose intake induces changes in physiological pathways in both humans and rodents. This present review evaluates over 300 studies that are pertinent to the interaction between sugar consumption, stress, and emotions. Additionally, the article examined clinical and preclinical trials on the relationship between highly palatable foods, stress, depression, fear, and anxiety. This study provides a summary of the neurochemical changes and neural adaptations that are potentially influencing our emotions and behaviors after eating sugars.
High ultra-processed food consumption is associated with elevated psychological distress as an indicator of depression in adults from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review
Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption and the risk of depression: A meta-analysis of observational studies
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Association between consumption of ultraprocessed foods and cognitive decline
Macronutrient (im)balance drives energy intake in an obesogenic food environment: An ecological analysis
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
High-sucrose diet exposure is associated with selective and reversible alterations in the rat peripheral taste system
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Ultra-processed food consumption among US adults from 2001 to 2018
Association of ultraprocessed food consumption with risk of dementia: A prospective cohort
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Cross-sectional examination of ultra-processed food consumption and adverse mental health symptoms
Ultra‐processed food consumption and mental health: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Ultra-processed food consumption and the incidence of depression in a Mediterranean cohort: The SUN Project
Ultra-processed and fresh food consumption and symptoms of anxiety and depression during the COVID – 19 pandemic: COVID Inconfidentes
Ultra-processed food is positively associated with depressive symptoms among United States adults
Long-term overconsumption of sugar starting at adolescence produces persistent hyperactivity and neurocognitive deficits in adulthood
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
The impact of sugar consumption on stress driven, emotional and addictive behaviors
A cross-national relationship between sugar consumption and major depression?
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Minimally processed foods are more satiating and less hyperglycemic than ultra-processed foods: A preliminary study with 98 ready-to-eat foods
Fast-food and commercial baked goods consumption and the risk of depression
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Poor glucose regulation is associated with declines in well-being among older men, but not women
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Association between carbohydrate nutrition and prevalence of depressive symptoms in older adults
Cognitive and behavioural effects of sugar consumption in rodents. A review
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
High glycemic index diet as a risk factor for depression: Analyses from the Women’s Health Initiative
Intake of raw fruits and vegetables Is associated with better mental health than Intake of processed fruits and vegetables
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, dietary carbohydrate index and depression risk in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project
Ultra-processed foods and recommended intake levels of nutrients linked to non-communicable diseases in Australia: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Sugary beverages pose significant risks to cardiovascular and overall Health
The evidence for saturated fat and for sugar related to coronary heart disease
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Ultra-processed diets cause excess calorie intake and weight gain: an inpatient randomized controlled trial of ad libitum food intake
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Prospective association between ultra-processed food consumption and incident depressive symptoms in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort
Sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with added sugars intake among US adults
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Ultra-processed foods and excessive free sugar intake in the UK: A nationally representative cross-sectional study
Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: Prospective findings from the Whitehall II study
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Ecological correlations of dietary food intake and mental health disorders
Metabolic and psychological effects of short-term increased consumption of less-processed foods in daily diets: A pilot study
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
A combined high-sugar and high-saturated-fat dietary pattern is associated with more depressive symptoms in a multi-ethnic population: the HELIUS (Healthy Life in an Urban Setting) study
Habitual sugar intake and cognitive function among middle-aged and older Puerto Ricans without diabetes
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Fructose and uric acid as drivers of a hyperactive foraging response: A clue to behavioral disorders associated with impulsivity or mania?
Sugar rush or sugar crash? A meta-analysis of carbohydrate effects on mood