Eating packaged foods regularly? Neurologist revealwhat they can do to your brain

If you love eating packaged food, you may want to reconsider, as the trade-off for savoury taste may be poor brain health!!

Packaged foods are convenient, easily available, and require little to no preparation. People instinctively reach for them in different situations, whether for a quick snack at work, to satisfy period cravings, or simply out of evening boredom. Modern food processing also ensures a longer shelf life. Unlike freshly cooked food, which may spoil within a few days, packaged products can be stored for much longer, making them an appealing option for busy schedules. But does this convenience come at a cost to your health? The wide-ranging side effects are already well known, such as weight gain and insulin resistance. Can it affect your brain? Let's hear from a neurologist what it means to have packaged food regularly.

Dr Mahesh Jadhav, consultant neurologist at Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, confirmed that regularly consuming packaged foods may affect brain health, mental performance, and emotional well-being.

Why does the brain need nutritious food?

First, what is the connection between what we eat and how well the brain performs? The neurologist stressed that the brain requires proper nourishment to function effectively. So, what constitutes nutritious food, and why does it matter?

“The brain is a part of our body that needs a lot of energy to work properly. It needs food like fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals to function well. These foods help us remember things, focus, and feel good. They also help our brain work,” Dr Jadhav said.

The brain needs nutrients to function. What you put on your plate affects your brain function.

How can packaged foods affect your brain?

The effects of eating highly processed foods will shape your ability to think, focus, and regulate your mood. Dr Jadhav said, “Foods that are heavily processed may cause problems in the body and brain. When we eat these foods, it can also affect our brain cells, how they talk to each other.”

Major cognitive functions, including concentration, memory, and clear thinking, may be affected, alongside changes in emotional well-being. According to Dr Jadhav, blood sugar spikes after eating processed food may be the reason.

He said, “Eating highly processed foods can make it harder for us to focus, remember information, and think clearly. It can also make us feel anxious or depressed. These foods may cause our blood sugar levels to rise and fall, leaving us feeling tired, irritable, and confused.”

What are the signs that food is ‘hurting your brain?’

You are more likely to be anxious, as packaged food disrupts gut balance and in turn influencing the gut-brain axis negatively.

Slowly processed food changes your brain performance, energy levels, mood, and productivity. Dr Jadhav listed the following signs that tell your diet requires closer attention:

1. Feeling tired all the time even if we sleep well
2. Having trouble focusing at work
3. Not being able to do much as we used to
4. Feeling moody or grumpy
5. Feeling stressed and anxious
6. Not being able to think clearly

What can happen if you don't limit processed, packaged foods?

If you continue to ignore these warning signs and frequently binge on highly processed foods, could there be long-term consequences? Dr Jadhav cautioned that this eating pattern may gradually affect metabolic and cardiovascular health, which can also have implications for the brain.

“If we keep eating foods that are highly processed, we can get sick. We can get fat, have high blood pressure, and have high cholesterol. These things can hurt our blood vessels, including the ones that go to our brain,” he said. “If our blood vessels are not healthy, we can have a stroke. Also, eating processed foods for a long time can increase our chance of getting diseases like dementia.”

The expert's parting advice was to improve your diet by eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and fish, while drinking plenty of water. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management are equally important.

How severe can the consequences become? Dr Jadhav gave a reality check, "In some cases, we may need surgery to fix problems caused by food.” This means diet should be taken seriously, as it has extensive consequences.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.