Image: Canva
Junk food interferes with the functioning of the brain circuits, especially in areas for memory and decision-making
Image: Canva
High-sugar, high-fat foods may overstimulate the dopamine reward pathway, making younger populations crave more and disrupting motivation for natural rewards like learning or hobbies
Image: Canva
Poor diet can slow the development of the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for resisting temptations and making decisions under pressure
Image: Canva
Eating junk can impair the ability to switch between tasks or think creatively, which is crucial for real-life problem solving
Image: Canva
Studies show high-fat and sugary diets decrease hippocampal function, leading to poorer memory formation
Image: Canva
Processed foods can mess with GABA and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. This can increase the risk of anxiety and depression
Image: Canva
Over time, junk food may rewire how teens perceive hunger and fullness, making it easier to overeat and harder to pay attention to the body’s signals
Image: Canva
The adolescent brain is still in the development stage, and junk food can slow the neural pathways meant for complex thinking
Image: Canva
Teen brains are more “plastic,” so repeated junk food habits during adolescence can embed unhealthy patterns that can stick well into adulthood