Emotional, nonrational, even explosive remarks in public discourse have escalated in recent years. This is sometimes attributed to social media. But are there other influences altering communication styles? As researchers in the field of nutrition and mental health, and authors of “The Better Brain,” we recognize that many people in our society experience brain hunger that impairs their cognitive function and emotion regulation. Ultra-Processed Products Obviously, we aren’t deficient in macronutrients: North Americans tend to get sufficient protein, fats (though usually not the best fats), and carbohydrates (usually not the good complex carbs). But we are being cheated of micronutrients (minerals and vitamins), particularly those who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed products include things such as soft drinks, packaged snacks, sweetened breakfast cereal, and chicken nuggets. They generally contain only trivial amounts of a few micronutrients unless they are fortified with select vitamins and minerals. Three published analyses from …