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Feeling Low? It Might Be the Chips, Not Just Your Mood
Ultra-Processed Foods & Mental Health – What UAE Experts Say
Are chips, instant noodles, sugary drinks, and ready-to-eat meals your go-to comfort snacks? While they may offer momentary pleasure, doctors across the UAE are warning that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) could be silently impacting your brain—and your mood.
What Are UPFs?
These are factory-made foods packed with artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and added sugars or unhealthy fats. They’re made to taste great and last long—but with very little nutrition.
How Do They Affect the Brain?
According to Dr. Mohammad Wafeek Eid, Psychiatrist at Medcare Hospital Dubai, UPFs cause the brain to release excess dopamine—the feel-good chemical. Over time, this dulls your brain’s ability to enjoy everyday activities, causing mood swings, low energy, and even depression.
He also noted that UPFs disrupt gut bacteria, affecting serotonin and GABA—chemicals essential for mental well-being.
What UAE Experts Are Seeing:
- More patients with poor diets and emotional distress
- Links between UPFs and cognitive decline, memory loss, anxiety, and stroke
- Risk of obesity, diabetes, and cancer is also higher with regular UPF consumption
Harmful Ingredients Found in UPFs:
- Propyl gallate (linked to brain & thyroid issues)
- Artificial flavorings & colors (long-term health risks)
- BPA & chlorine from packaging (toxic effects)
Reshma Devjani, Clinical Dietitian at Fakeeh University Hospital, adds:
“People who switch to natural, home-cooked foods start feeling better mentally and physically within weeks.”
Who’s Most at Risk?
- Kids and teens
- Busy professionals and office workers
- Frequent travelers relying on convenience foods
What to Eat Instead?
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Homemade meals
Whole grains, beans, eggs, and lean meats
Water instead of sugary drinks
Nuts and seeds for healthy snacking
Dr. Zaki from Abu Dhabi concludes:
“We’re not asking for a total stop. But gradually cutting down on processed food can dramatically improve your mental clarity, mood, and long-term health.”