Ever opened a pack of potato chips, only to find your cognitive abilities going "crisp"? Well, we're not saying your chip addiction is erasing your memory, but research is starting to connect the dots between ultra-processed foods and your brain.

The latest study to ring the alarm bells had scientists analyzing about ten years worth of dietary data from around 30,000 adults. They looked at the risk of stroke and cognitive decline, alongside the consumption of ultra-processed goodies (think pre-packaged meals, soda, your favorite sugary cereals) against minimally processed fare (the stuff nature made, with minimal human interference).

You'll want to sit down for this (preferably with a kale salad). Out of all the participants, those frequently binging on ultra-processed foods faced an 8% greater risk of stroke and a 12% increased chance of speedy cognitive decline. Not ideal.

On the brighter side, those opting for unprocessed or minimally processed foods reaped a 9% lower risk of stroke.

And the plot thickens. Even those who followed brain-healthy diets like the Mediterranean, DASH or MIND diets still felt the cognitive impact of ultra-processed foods.

Rumor has it, ultra-processed foods might play havoc with brain health thanks to additives and shelf-life extenders. On top of that, these lab-made wonders come with a heaping side of unhealthy goodies like sugar, salt, fat, artificial colors, and preservatives. Can you say 'inflammation and vascular dysfunction'?

So, how to keep your grey matter from turning into jello? Lower your intake of ultra-processed junk, embrace real foods, and feed your brain with nutrient-dense goodness like fish, olive oil, avocados, whole fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains.

Sure, this may not be as exciting as cracking open that bag of chips and dreamily inhaling the preservative-laden air. But trust us, your brain will thank you.