May 3, 2025 • 9 mins
Story at-a-glance
- Consuming just four servings of ultraprocessed foods daily increases depression risk by 10% in adults over 70, according to a six-year Australian study of 11,192 older adults
- Ultraprocessed foods trigger inflammation, disrupt the gut-brain axis and cause oxidative stress — all known contributors to depression and cognitive decline in older populations
- Linoleic acid (LA) in vegetable oils damages cellular mitochondria, reducing energy production and increasing inflammation; keep daily intake below 5 grams, ideally under 2 grams
- Dietary changes that support mental health include eliminating vegetable oils, focusing on whole foods and choosing filtered water over sweetened drinks
- Many people underestimate their processed food consumption; tracking food intake for five days helps reveal hidden sources of inflammatory ingredients affecting brain function
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