Original Investigation

Ultraprocessed Food Intake and Adiposity, Vascular Brain Injury, and Cognition in Middle-Aged Adults

JAMA Network Open 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.39118

October 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT

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In this cross-sectional study of middle-aged adults in Canada, higher UPF intake was associated with greater adiposity and higher odds of MRI-defined VBI but not cognitive performance. Associations with VBI were sensitive to UPF exposure definition. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporality.

Corresponding Author: Sonia S. Anand, MD, PhD, Mary Heersink School of Global Health anands@mcmaster.ca).

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