The effects of junk food and sugar on adolescents' brains

When children reach adolescence, their brains take on major developmental changes in termos of structure and function.  Due to the dramatic changes in connectivity within brain regions, adolescence is a period of increased neuroplasticity.

Also brain-imaging studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex doesn't fully mature until the early 20s.  A major role of the prefrontal cortex is performing executive functions.  Executive functions refer to behavioral control, attention and decision-making.

Poor regulation of the prefrontal cortex during this period can explain why teenagers show increased risk-taking behaviors, including drug taking, binge drinking and  dangerous driving.

To parents, it often seems that however much they try to help their teenage children and provide information about unsafe behavior -their teenagers just don't listen.

For many teenagers, risky behavior often provides an immediate reward.  The brain's reward system releases dopamine when stimulated by pleasurable events, which makes carrying out these activities more appealing.

This also makes high fat and high sugar foods more appealing.  However, the adolescent reward system is especially sensitive to stimulation and over activation during this growth period may lead to permanent alterations.

If you combine a teenager's reduced ability to avoid rewarding behavior with their over stimulated reward system, then it doesn't come as a surprise that teens prefer food that is easily obtained and provides instant gratification - even though they may know that these are not healthy options.

The over consumption of sugary foods during adolescence can cause changes in the brain that do not manifest until later in life such as reduced motivation and enjoyment when experiencing rewards.

These behaviors are key features of mood disorders including depression.

This is very important to know, as it shows just how important the type of food consumed during adolescence is, and how it can impact brain function when teens become adults.  It also leads to long lasting changes in food preferences and learning about rewards.

Eating too much junk food during adolescence could halt the normal brain maturation processes.  This could alter normal developmental trajectories which, in turn, lead to enduring behavioral  predispositions - in this case, dieta associated: the habit of consuming fatty and sugary foods, leading to weight problems, obesity and weight related health complications.

Junk food and sugary food and drinks are not just full of unhealthy fats and large amounts of sugar, they also contain different excitotoxins such as monosodium glutamate (MSG).

MSG is used as a flavor enhancer in many foods especially Chinese food and junk food, but also many unsuspecting foods too.  There are many opinions as to whether MSG is safe for human consumption or not and there is still no clear cut scientific evidence for either side.  But excitotoxins are dangerous if over consumed and a brain in development such as a baby, toddler or adolescent would be more susceptible to excitoxin damage.  For this reason MSG was removed from commercially produced baby foods.

MSG is also known as; hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts and protein isolate, among others.

So, once again, the answer to problems such as these is to feed your family fresh produce cooked from scratch at home - and read the labels carefully when you do your shopping!

If you would like to learn more about the effects of excitotoxins then I suggest the book Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills by Dr. Russel L. Blaylock.

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com