Eating ultra-processed (超加工的) foods for more than 20% of your daily calorie intake every day can set you on the road to cognitive (认知的) decline, according to a new study. Previous studies have found they can raise the risk of having obesity, heart and circulation problems, diabetes and cancer. They may even shorten our lives. Now, the new study has revealed eating more ultra-processed foods may contribute to overall cognitive decline, including the areas of the brain involved in executive (决策的) functioning — the ability to process information and make decisions.
In fact, men and women who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a 28% faster rate of global cognitive decline and a 25% faster rate of executive function decline compared with people who ate the least amount of overly processed food, the new study found. “While in need of further study and replication, the new results are quite convincing and emphasize the critical role for proper nutrition in preserving and promoting brain health and reducing risk for brain diseases as we get older,” said Tanzi, a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. He was not involved in the study.
The study, presented on August 1 at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego, followed over 10,000 Brazilians whose average age was 51 for up to 10 years. Just over half of the study participants were women.
Cognitive testing, which included immediate and delayed word recall, word recognition and verbal fluency were performed at the beginning and end of the study, and the participants were inquired about their diet. “In Brazil, ultra-processed foods make up 25% to 30% of the total calorie intake. We eat a lot of hamburgers, chocolate and white bread. It’s not very different, unfortunately, from many other western countries,” said co-author Dr. Claudia Suemoto, an assistant professor.
Ultra-processed foods are defined as “industrial formulations of food substances (oils, fats, sugars, starch, and protein isolates) that contain little or no whole foods and typically include flavorings, colorings and other chemical additives”, according to the study.
12. What is Tanzi’s attitude towards the new study?
A.Objective. | B.Doubtful. |
C.Ambiguous. | D.Disapproving. |
13. What can we know about the new study?
A.Its participants were over 50 years old. |
B.It followed the participants for a period of time. |
C.It proved men had a faster rate of cognitive decline than women. |
D.It first found ultra-processed foods could raise the risk of obesity. |
14. What were the participants asked to do in the study?
A.Eat their favorite foods. |
B.Introduce their daily routine. |
C.Enhance their verbal fluency. |
D.Take a series of cognitive tests. |
15. Which is the most suitable title for the text?
A.The substances of ultra-processed foods |
B.The appropriate intake of ultra-processed foods |
C.Cognitive decline linked to ultra-processed foods |
D.Ultra-processed foods causing executive functioning loss |