A new study reveals that adults over 70 who regularly consume ultra-processed foods may be putting their mental health at risk.
According to research published in BMC Medicine, individuals in this age group who eat four or more servings of these heavily manufactured foods daily face a 10% higher chance of developing depression.
Belayneh Mengist Miteku, a Ph.D. candidate at Deakin University’s IMPACT Institute within the School of Medicine, emphasised the significance of these results.
He highlighted the importance for older adults to prioritise whole, minimally processed meals in their everyday diets to support better mental well-being.
- Ultra-processed foods tied to greater risk of depression and anxiety
- Ultra-processed foods potentially linked to early death
- Weight gain associated with high intake of ultra-processed foods
Belayneh Mengist Miteku said: “Depression in older Australians is a major problem and can lead to poor health outcomes and even premature death, so reducing depression risks is an important way to ensure people are living well into their older age.
“We know that older people might be tempted to look for tasty and convenient meals that don’t require much preparation, but pre-prepared and frozen meals often include a lot of ultra-processed ingredients that might be tasty but are not healthy when eaten too often.
“Cost and convenience as well as concerns around food that is crunchy, tough-to-chew or difficult to swallow are the main issues.
“Ultra-processed foods are not just limited to junk and fast foods, like chips, hamburgers and soft drinks.
“They also include mass-produced and highly refined products that might be considered relatively healthy, like diet soft drinks, some fruit juices and flavoured yogurts, margarine, and many ready-to-heat frozen meals and packet-based meal flavourings.”
Foods like ham, bacon, sausage rolls, sweet snacks, packaged bread, and even popular meal supplements like Ensure and Sustagen fall into the category of ultra-processed foods, and new research suggests they may be harming more than just physical health.
A study involving more than 11,000 people aged 70 and above has drawn a connection between frequent consumption of such foods and an increased likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms.
The research adds to growing evidence about the mental health risks associated with modern dietary patterns in older populations.
- High intake of ultra-processed foods can accelerate biological ageing
- High intake of ultra-processed foods associated with osteoarthritis
- Toddlers get half their calories from ultra-processed foods
Participants who consumed four or more ultra-processed food servings daily were compared to those who ate fewer than four, with the results showing a notable rise in depression-related symptoms among the higher-intake group.
Associate Professor Mohammadreza Mohebbi, also from IMPACT, said the findings highlight an urgent need to rethink Australia’s nutritional guidelines.
He called for stronger policy efforts to curb the country’s growing dependency on mass-produced, nutrient-poor foods and to support healthier aging.
Professor Mohebbi said: “We know reducing ultra-processed food has a positive impact on our physical health and this research is further evidence that reducing ultra-processed food in our diet will contribute to better mental health and quality of life.
“These findings will also provide much-needed evidence for health care professionals to incorporate dietary recommendations into mental health care for aging populations.”
To read the study, click here.
