This addiction is more dangerous than alcohol or tobacco, new study warns of a silent trap
Published on: Oct. 6, 2025, 11:19 p.m. | Source: The Economic Times
A new study published in Addiction reveals that older Americans are more likely to be addicted to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) than to alcohol or tobacco. Surveying over 2,000 adults aged 50–80, researchers found 12% met addiction criteria, with women—especially ages 50–64—disproportionately affected. These foods, engineered to trigger brain reward pathways, are linked to poor health, stress, and social decline, prompting warnings of an emerging public health crisis.
