Peter Deadman is a co-founder of Infinity Foods, which he helped establish in Brighton in 1971. After leaving infinity Foods in the 1970s, he has since spent more than 40 years working in Chinese medicine, health promotion and wellbeing, and is the founder of The Journal of Chinese Medicine.
In this article, Peter explores the possible links between children’s diets, ultra-processed food and mental health.
As a Chinese medicine practitioner, I was taught that when considering disease or dysfunction, we should identify the branch – the manifestation – and the root – the cause. Clinically, it is usually necessary to address both, since if the root cause is ignored, treatment can be ineffective.
Childhood anxiety is multifactorial, with biological, psychological, environmental, social and developmental factors all potentially playing a role. But one important factor that deserves greater attention is diet.
Childhood anxiety and other mental health difficulties are a growing concern, while children’s diets in Britain are increasingly dominated by ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
UPFs are industrial formulations that often contain little whole food and are designed to be highly palatable and addictive. They commonly contain ingredients and additives that would not normally be found in your kitchen at home, including emulsifiers, stabilisers, flavour enhancers, artificial colours and sweeteners.
Why is this important?
A 2026 systematic review of 20 recent studies found an association between consumption of ultra-processed foods by children and adolescents and a range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, irritability and sleep disturbances.¹
A 2026 cohort study of more than 2,000 Canadian children also found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with increasing emotional and behavioural difficulties. The researchers found that replacing a proportion of calories from ultra-processed foods with minimally processed foods was associated with lower behaviour problem scores.²
There are several possible reasons why diet may influence mental health. One area receiving increasing attention is the relationship between diet, the gut microbiome and the brain — often referred to as the gut-brain axis.
A diet based predominantly on highly processed foods can be low in the fibre and variety needed to support a healthy gut microbiome. Research into the relationship between the microbiome, inflammation, brain development and mental health is developing rapidly, and suggests that what we eat may influence far more than our physical health.
So what’s the solution?
We need both local and national action to make nutritious, minimally processed food more accessible and affordable for children and families.
Locally, there are a range of organisations working to improve access to affordable, nutritious food for children and families across Brighton & Hove. Supporting these initiatives is an important part of creating a healthier food environment.
In an ideal world, we’d be feeding our children organically grown food. Organic farming can reduce exposure to pesticide residues, while research has also found differences in the nutritional composition of some organically grown crops.⁴
Just as importantly, organic farming supports a food system that places greater emphasis on soil health, biodiversity and the long-term health of our environment.
Ultimately, children deserve access to good food: food that is nutritious, properly grown and accessible to families regardless of their circumstances.
Creating that food system requires action from individuals, communities, businesses and government alike.
Peter Deadman is co-founder of Infinity Foods.
At Infinity Foods, we believe good food starts with good ingredients. Our shop is packed with an extensive range of wholefoods, organic produce, grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, spices and store-cupboard essentials to help you cook from scratch and eat well.
Looking for inspiration? Explore our Recipes for ideas using simple, nourishing ingredients, or discover more from the Infinity Foods team on Infinity Bites.
there’s a better way to eat
References
- Georgiou A et al. Ultra-Processed Foods and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2026 Mar 12;18(6):899.
- Kavanagh ME et al. Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian Children. JAMA Network Open. 2026 Mar 2;9(3):e260434.
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Barański M et al. Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. Br J Nutr. 2014 Sep 14;112(5):794-811.