The widespread consumption of processed foods among generation Z poses a grave threat to mental health, contributing to an array of psychological challenges and making existing mental health disorders worse. 

We could also see the other side of this through accessibility and affordability with a leading cause of the increase in highly processed foods from generation z could also be a major factor that could be a prominent reason as organically grown foods and unprocessed may not be readily available to everyone especially generation z as of not having a disposable enough income to be able to get these unprocessed foods through normal means necessary which could be a possible reason as too why generation z has such a high amount of processed foods consumed. While also having some lower income areas of the world not having accessibility with the expensive cost of foods.

Generation Z has an average of 26% consuming fast food regularly, with depression and other mental health disorders at an all-time high than it’s ever been, causing the majority of people to question what has gone wrong to cause such an increase in this generation others may have linked this to excessive social media use or excessive screen times It is a well known fact that what you consume in your body effects you’re mood. We see this through a study presented from the Harvard health blog Eva Selhub, stated that “Studies have compared "traditional" diets, like the Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese diet, to a typical "Western" diet and have shown that the risk of depression is 25% to 35% lower in those who eat a traditional diet.”  It is common knowledge that the western diet consists of highly processed foods for example, lays chips in the USA have a completely different formula compared to Europe because of the bans of harsh ingredients however, these toxic ingredients are allowed to persist in the USA’s food products. Linking back to the study from Eva Selhub the reason why these diets are not as high of a risk as the western diet is because of their whole unprocessed grains, high protein.

Another way that process foods effects you mentally and not physically is through the constant dopamine spikes when consuming food or the high deficiency presented from losing out on important vitamins this is causing loss of motivation, aggression, and less sensitivity to dopamine or vitamin deficiency. This relates to depression because these are sometimes early symptoms and, is linked to other ones such as ADHD. We see this supported by The National Library of Medicine: Food, Mood, and brain health presented by Laura Lachance this article provides evidence further supporting our study through “Several nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, B9 (folate), and zinc, can cause symptoms of depression and dementia such as low mood, fatigue, cognitive decline, and irritability.10, 11 The evidence linking diet to mental illness has evolved from a focus on specific nutrient deficiencies to an emphasis on overall dietary pattern. “ Not only is the nutrient amount, for example sugar, very high in processed foods, but it is very deficient in the necessary ones from the article that states is needed to function or else you risk having depression or other mental health issues, That will persist unless you fix it and avoid these foods. This is a prominent issue to generation z because over the past years processed foods have been on an advance making your generation z person having the highest chance of ever indulging in these products without having any awareness on the negative implications of eating these food products not only mentally but also physically.

Overall, It is best to have a well maintained balanced diet if you want to have a well and fulling lifestyle while also doing feeling mentally and physically the best you have ever felt. Although some may have trouble with finding clean and organic foods but it’s in you’re best interest to avoid it all.

Works Cited

Galoustian, Gisele. "Feeling anxious or blue? Ultra-processed foods may be to blame." Florida atlanic university, Plural Publishing, 25 Sept. 2022, www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/ultra-processed-food-study.php. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Selhub, Eva, editor. "Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food." Harvard, Eva Selhub, 18 Sept. 2022, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626#:~:text=Studies%20have%20compared%20%22traditional%22%20diets,who%20eat%20a%20traditional%20diet. Accessed 22 Apr. 2024.