Neurologist explained the dangerous effect of chips and soda on the brain

Ultra-processed foods, including chips and sugary sodas, can negatively affect attention, memory, and brain function if consumed regularly. Olga Butenko, a neurologist, told Izvestia on May 7 about the risks of such food and the first warning signs.

According to the expert, chips or soda alone do not cause instant brain damage, but the danger is precisely the constant presence of such products in the diet. This is especially true for children and teenagers.

"If a pack of chips appears every day, it's already a food habit. There are modern studies that link high consumption of so—called ultra-processed foods with poorer performance, attention, and intellectual cognitive health," Butenko said.

The doctor explained that in such products, not one component is dangerous, but a combination of them. Chips and snacks contain high amounts of salt, fat, and calories while low in protein, fiber, and vitamins. In addition, strong heat treatment can form acrylamide, a substance that is considered a neurotoxin and a potential carcinogen.

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Sugary carbonated drinks, according to the expert, are dangerous primarily because of their high sugar content. They cause sudden spikes in blood glucose: first, a person feels a surge of energy, and then faces fatigue, irritability, and a repeated desire to eat something sweet.

"If this is repeated every day, that is, a person regularly drinks sugary soda, then the metabolism begins to suffer, the risk of developing excess weight, insulin resistance and vascular disorders increases. And the brain directly depends on the condition of blood vessels," the neurologist explained.

Butenko drew special attention to the effect of ultra-processed foods on children. According to her, even with an outwardly normal diet, regular consumption of chips, sugary drinks and fast food is gradually replacing foods necessary for the normal development of the nervous system.

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Among the first signs of the negative effects of nutrition, the doctor named fatigue, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, irritability, decreased performance and a constant craving for sweets. Teenagers may experience mood swings and dependence on energy drinks.

It is important to understand that such symptoms are not always related only to nutrition, Butenko added. They can also occur with vitamin deficiencies, sleep disorders, anxiety, or thyroid diseases. According to the doctor, it is not necessary to completely abandon chips or sweets, but such products should not replace full meals and become a daily habit.

Marina Ivanova, a nutritionist at the Fitomarket marketplace, told on Tuesday, May 5, what can cause absent-mindedness, a feeling of fog in the head, memory impairment and concentration. The specialist explained that memory can deteriorate due to constant stress, as it increases cortisol levels, which negatively affects a person's ability to remember and learn.