Study suggests toddlers' ultraprocessed diets at age two linked to lower IQ

Medical Xpress

February 16, 2026

A new analysis from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort suggests that dietary patterns at just 2 years of age are associated with cognitive performance at ages 6 and 7. The findings add to growing global evidence that early childhood nutrition—particularly exposure to ultraprocessed foods—may play a meaningful role in shaping brain development.