How Ultra-Processed Foods Impact Your Health

7. Mental health impacts

Ultra-processed foods can also affect mental health. Research shows that eating these foods, especially those with added sugars, can increase the risk of developing depression by 50 percent. These foods may contribute to feelings of anxiety, too.

One study found that people who reported a high intake of ultra-processed foods were more likely to report more anxious days.

Another study found possible links between ultra-processed foods and cognitive decline, showing that people who get more than 20 percent of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods saw cognitive decline accelerate by 28 percent.