If you compare a cob of corn to a packet of chips, there’s a clear difference between the two. The corn may be harvested from a corn field, cleaned, then canned or frozen before it arrives on your plate. Meanwhile, to make a packet of potato chips, the potatoes need to be harvested, peeled, sliced, blanched, dewatered… *deep breath*... fried, deoiled, seasoned, and finally bagged. You can clearly see which of the two items constitutes an “ultra-processed” food.
Despite the bad cred it might receive, processing inherently isn’t a bad thing. However, when edibles undergo a ton of modification to improve taste or extend shelf life, they often end up losing essential nutrients and fibres. Additives such as preservatives and sweeteners in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have also long been linked to health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. Now, a new study suggests they might also contribute to
Researchers in France conducted a study involving 38,570 adults, examining dietary data alongside sleep patterns to uncover potential links between food consumption and
Of the study participants with a heavy dependence on
While the exact mechanisms behind the UPF-fuelled insomnia remains unclear, the researchers have some hunches. Processed food generally sports a higher calorie content, which could lead to
Previous research has already shown a connection between the
As our diets increasingly consist of ultra-processed foods, understanding their impact on sleep becomes crucial. The Indian Council of Medical Research has recently provided an updated dietary guideline that should help in deciding our intake for the day. In the meantime, skip the midnight binge; opt for something healthy instead, if you must!
The findings of this research have been published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and can be accessed here.