Ultra-Processed Foods: What the Latest Research Reveals About Addiction, Brain Health and More

What do cigarettes, dementia risk and food cravings have in common? They're all part of a fascinating new series of papers in the American Journal of Public Health examining ultra-processed foods. Research scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Erica LaFata helps us understand the science behind food addiction, brain health, industry influence and what these findings mean for our everyday food choices. Ultra-Processed Foods – with Erica Lafata, PhD LINKS American Journal of Public Health: Ultra-Processed Foods Special Section | https://bit.ly/43JnOP0 About Erica LaFata, PhD | https://bit.ly/4vhWaVx Molly’s past podcast, The Truth about Food Addiction, with Ashley Gearhardt, PhD | https://bit.ly/4ozGGcQ A sampling of Dr. LaFata’s publications on ultra-processed foods: LaFata EM, Moran AJ, Volkow ND, Gearhardt AN. Now Is the Time to Recognize and Respond to Addiction to Ultra-Processed Foods. Nature Medicine. 2025. doi:10.1038/s41591-025-03858-6 LaFata EM, Gearhardt AN. Ultra-Processed Food Addiction: An Epidemic? Psychother Psychosom. 2022;91(6):363-372. doi: 10.1159/000527322. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.