Do you often eat chips, instant noodles, sugary drinks, ready-to-eat meals or packed snacks? If yes, doctors warn that these ultra-processed foods (UPFs) could be silently harming your brain and
UPFs are foods made in factories using ingredients not usually used in home cooking, like artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, added sugar, and unhealthy fats. They’re designed to taste good and last long but have very little nutrition.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, doctors and dietitians said they are seeing more also showing signs of mental health problems like sadness, mood swings, and sleep issues.
“Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products preserved with artificial compounds and additives. These modifications make them less safe for human health compared to natural foods,” said Dr Mohammed Zaki, a dietitian based in Abu Dhabi.
“These foods contribute to cognitive decline, affect executive brain functions, and even increase the risk of stroke.”
What happens inside the brain?UPFs can lead to inflammation in the brain, damage healthy brain cells, and disturb the gut-brain connection which is important for mood and emotions, said Dr Mohammad Wafeek Eid, a psychiatrist at Medcare Hospital in Dubai.
“Ultra-processed foods can cause the brain to release too much dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure. Over time, this can reduce your ability to enjoy normal activities and lead to compulsive eating and low moods,” Dr Eid said.
Dr Mohammad Wafeek Eid
Doctors also said that the . UPFs can disturb gut bacteria, lowering the levels of mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which increases the chances of anxiety and depression.
According to healthcare specialists, there are many recent studies which have found a strong link between eating too many UPFs and higher risk of depression, obesity, cancer, diabetes, and even memory loss.
Some harmful ingredients found in UPFs include:
Propyl gallate – linked to brain and thyroid problems.
Artificial flavourings and colours – may cause long-term health issues.
Chemicals from packaging – like BPA and chlorine can be toxic to the body.
“We have seen that people who change their diet to include more natural foods start feeling better mentally and physically in just a few weeks,” said Dr Zaki.
Who’s most at risk?Children, teens, office workers, frequent travellers, and people with busy schedules are more likely to eat ultra-processed foods due to time pressure and easy availability. But long-term use can silently damage both body and mind.
“Many people who eat a lot of processed food suffer from poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, and even eating disorders,” said Reshma Devjani, a clinical dietitian at Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai.
What can you eat instead?
Devjani recommends replacing UPFs with:
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Home-cooked meals
Nuts and seeds
Fresh meat, eggs, beans
Water instead of soft drinks
Dr Zaki added that cooking fresh meals using modern, healthy methods can make healthy eating fun even for kids. “We don’t ask people to stop everything at once. But reducing processed food step by step can go a long way in protecting your health and mental well-being,” he said.
