Is their a relationship between ultra processed food and ADHD

Harold Robert Meyer | The ADD Resource Center 0623/2024

Executive Summary

You’re surrounded by ultra-processed foods every time you walk into a grocery store. These products—often from household brands like Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, and General Mills—dominate shelves and pantries, but research increasingly links their consumption to health concerns, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article explores the relationship between ultra-processed foods and ADHD, highlights the brands most responsible, and explains why this issue matters for you and your family’s well-being.

Why This Matters

If you care about your cognitive health or that of your children, understanding the impact of ultra-processed foods is essential. ADHD affects millions, and early dietary choices may play a role in symptom development and severity. With ultra-processed foods making up over 70% of U.S. grocery offerings, your daily choices are shaped by powerful food industry players. The evidence suggests that these choices have far-reaching implications—not just for ADHD, but for your long-term health.

Key Findings

• Ultra-processed foods are everywhere: They account for roughly 73% of the U.S. food supply and dominate the offerings of major brands.
• ADHD risk is linked to diet: Multiple studies connect higher consumption of ultra-processed foods with increased ADHD symptoms, especially in children.
• Major brands drive consumption: Companies like Kellogg’s, General Mills, PepsiCo, and others are responsible for many of the most common ultra-processed products.
• Artificial additives are a concern: Food dyes and preservatives, prevalent in these foods, are associated with hyperactivity and behavioral changes in sensitive individuals.
• Regulatory changes are coming: The FDA and some companies are beginning to respond to public health concerns, but most ultra-processed foods remain unchanged.

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Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made mostly from substances extracted from foods—think high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, artificial colors, and preservatives. Unlike minimally processed foods, these products often contain ingredients you wouldn’t find in a home kitchen.

The NOVA Classification

The NOVA system, developed by Brazilian researchers, classifies foods by their degree of processing. Ultra-processed foods are at the far end of the spectrum, often containing long ingredient lists and chemical additives designed for shelf life, taste, and appearance.

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Major Brands and Their Ultra-Processed Products

Cereal and Breakfast Foods

• Kellogg’s: Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes are notorious for artificial dyes and preservatives, despite recent moves to use more natural colors in some products.
• General Mills: Lucky Charms, Trix, and Go-Gurt yogurts are packed with added sugars and synthetic colors.

Snack and Confectionery Giants

• PepsiCo: Doritos, Cheetos, and Gatorade are staples in the snack aisle, loaded with artificial flavors and preservatives.
• Mondelez: Oreo, Ritz Crackers, and Toblerone are high in sugar and artificial additives.
• Mars: M&M’s, Snickers, and Twix are classic examples of ultra-processed confectionery.
• Hershey Company: Hershey’s and Reese’s products deliver high sugar and artificial flavors.

Processed Meals and Meats

• Tyson Foods: Chicken nuggets and frozen dinners contain fillers and additives.
• Hormel Foods: Spam and Dinty Moore stew are high in sodium and preservatives.
• ConAgra Brands: Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s frozen meals have long ingredient lists and industrial additives.
• J.M. Smucker Company: Uncrustables are ultra-processed due to preservatives and additives.

Beverages and Soups

• Coca-Cola: Sodas like Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta use added sugars and artificial ingredients, contributing to metabolic and behavioral risks.
• Campbell Soup Company: Campbell’s soups and Pepperidge Farm cookies are known for additives and preservatives.
• Unilever: Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and Knorr Soups contain emulsifiers and preservatives.

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The Science: Ultra-Processed Foods and ADHD

Observational and Longitudinal Evidence

Large-scale studies show that children consuming more ultra-processed foods—especially those rich in artificial colors and preservatives—are more likely to exhibit ADHD symptoms. A Brazilian study found that exposure during early childhood (ages 3-4) predicted hyperactivity and inattention in adolescence.

Blood Sugar Spikes and Neurotransmitter Disruption

Ultra-processed foods often contain high levels of refined sugars, leading to rapid blood sugar fluctuations. For children with ADHD, these spikes and crashes can worsen symptoms. Additionally, these foods tend to lack the proteins and micronutrients needed for healthy neurotransmitter production.

Gut-Brain Axis and Neuroinflammation

Emerging evidence suggests that ultra-processed foods may alter the gut microbiome, increasing gut permeability and neuroinflammation—factors that could exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

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Beyond ADHD: Broader Health Risks

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease

A 2014 study found that diets with 17–21% of calories from added sugar led to a 38% higher risk of death from heart disease. Recent global analyses show sugary drinks (from brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo) contributed to 2.2 million new type 2 diabetes cases in 2020—nearly 10% of all new diagnoses worldwide.

Mortality and Chronic Disease

Long-term studies reveal that those with the highest intake of ultra-processed foods face a 31% higher overall mortality risk. With 57% of adult and 67% of children’s calories coming from these foods, the stakes are high for public health.

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What You Can Do

• Read ingredient lists: Look for artificial colors, preservatives, and long lists of unfamiliar ingredients.
• Prioritize whole foods: Focus your diet on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Be mindful of marketing: “Healthy” branding doesn’t always mean less processed.

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Bibliography

1. https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/06/09/ultra-processed-foods/
2. https://www.cspinet.org/article/ultra-processed-foods
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29506785/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9777661/
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/well/eat/ultraprocessed-foods.html
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10066909/
7. https://www.tastewise.io/food-trends/ultra-processed-foods
8. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/CA-Food-Dyes-Report.pdf
9. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(07)61306-3/fulltext
10. https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-bans-use-red-dye-no-3-food
11. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/red-dye-3-banned-fda-rcna124926
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997432/
13. https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/kelloggs-protesters-demand-removal-of-artificial-dyes-preservatives/
14. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/1000654
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772793/
16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071221/
17. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1819573
18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6862436/
19. https://www.addrc.org/

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Resources

• ADD Resource Center (ADDRC.ORG)
• California Department of Public Health: Food Dyes and Behavior
• FDA: Food Additive Status List
• NOVA Food Classification

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Disclaimer:
Our content is intended solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be viewed as a substitute for professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that errors or omissions are absent. Our content may utilize artificial intelligence tools, which can result in inaccurate or incomplete information. Users are encouraged to verify all information independently.

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