Autism cases are on the rise due to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) dominating Western diets, latest research has shown.
A new study from the University of Ottawa has found that UPFs are associated with an increased risk of autism, dementia and poor mental health.
This is because UPFs often contain microplastics – extremely small pieces of plastic debris in the environment from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste.
The processing and packaging process of UPFs can contaminate these products with microplastics.
First author Dr Nicholas Fabiano said: “We’re seeing converging evidence that should concern us all. UPFs contain significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than whole foods.
- 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
“Recent findings show these particles can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in alarming quantities.”
Fellow author Dr Wolfgang Marx said: “There is a remarkable overlap in the way UPFs and microplastics harm mental health.
“This hypothesis is particularly compelling because we see remarkable overlap in biological mechanisms.”
He added: “UPFs have been linked to adverse mental health through inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetics, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruptions to neurotransmitter systems. Microplastics appear to operate through remarkably similar pathways.”
Throughout the trial, the team of researchers investigated the findings of several studies that assessed the relationship between UPFs, microplastics and mental health.
One of the studies revealed that a high intake of UPFs were associated with a 22% greater risk of depression, a 48% higher risk of anxiety and a 41% greater risk of poor sleep.
Meanwhile, another study reported that oxidative stress on the central nervous system is triggered by microplastics, which can cause neurological disorders and cellular damage.
Researchers from this study have found that regular consumption of microplastics in UPFs can negatively affect an individual’s health, particularly their mental health.
Experts have highlighted that UPFs can be extremely harmful to the gut, which in turn can also damage the brain – otherwise known as the gut-brain axis.
This means when your gut is damaged, your mental wellbeing can take a hit too, according to the study.
- High intake of ultra-processed foods associated with lower grades in school
- High intake of ultra-processed foods can accelerate biological ageing
- High intake of ultra-processed foods associated with osteoarthritis
Autism currently impacts one in 31 children in the US, a significant rise from one in 150 kids years ago.
Studies have identified that children with autism are more likely to have an off-balanced gut microbiome compared to those without the neurological disorder.
In some cases, autism symptoms can be caused by the consumption of mercury and lead which can be found in UPFs, the research has reported.
Dr Stefan Bornstein said: “While we need to reduce our exposure to microplastics through better food choices and packaging alternatives, we also need research into how to remove these particles from the human body.”
