High Intake of Ultra-Processed Foods is Associated with Lower Grades in School
Scientists have found that less nutritious processed foods are associated with poorer academic performances among teens
Good performance at school starts with good nutrition. A study of 788 adolescents aged 12 to 17 has found that regular consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is linked to lower academic performance. The research, published in Nutrients, shows that teens who frequently eat foods such as fast food, sausages, sugary drinks and sweets tend to have lower grades in English, math and language based on school records, suggesting that nutritional imbalances caused by eating too many highly processed foods, many of which are low in essential nutrients needed for brain development and cognitive function, might be the cause. There is also the possibility that the added sugars in some UPFs could cause fluctuations in blood glucose, increasing fatigue and reducing alertness. In contrast, adolescents who consumed the least UPFs had the highest grades.
References
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/3/524
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD, is a James Beard Award–winning food journalist, dietitian and author of the cookbook Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sport + Adventure (VeloPress 2016). He has written for dozens of magazines, including Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness.
