Microplastics in nuggets and chips: the impact of ultra-processed foods on mental health

According to a study conducted by a group of scientists from Canada and Australia, regular consumption of fast food and sweets may be associated with the development of anxiety. This information was published by the New York Post, citing an article in the journal Brain Medicine.

It was found that the main danger is the presence of microplastics in ultra-processed foods (UPF), including chips, carbonated drinks, chocolate, ice cream, processed meats, ready meals, and breakfast cereals.

The study reveals that these products are frequently contaminated with microplastics that enter the food supply through packaging or production equipment. Scientists note that people who eat such food have an increased risk of developing depressive states.

For example, chicken nuggets were found to contain 30 times more microplastics per gram than regular chicken meat.

Psychiatrist Nicholas Fabiano says: “We are seeing alarming trends. In countries like the US, more than half of the daily diet consists of ultra-processed foods, which contain significant amounts of microplastics compared to whole foods.”

The authors of the study believe that microplastics may be linked to recent findings of their presence in the human brain, where the amount found is comparable to that of a teaspoon of water.

The scientists focus on the negative impact of ultra-processed food on human mental health, noting that it causes inflammation and disrupts cellular functions and signal transmission in the brain.

Wolfgang Marx, a research fellow at Deakin University, explained: “Microplastics are likely to have similar effects.”

However, the role of microplastics in these processes remains to be further studied, and additional research is needed to confirm the hypotheses.