In countries such as the UK, US and Canada, ultra-processed foods are now 50 percent or more of calorie consumption.
This is concerning given that these foods are associated with many different health conditions. obesity various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease When dementia.
ultra-processed foods Formulation of various industrial ingredients (Emulsifiers, thickeners, artificial flavors, etc.) are integrated into food in a series of manufacturing processes.
Sugary drinks and many breakfast cereals are ultra-processed foods, as are recent innovations such as so-called “plant-based” burgers, which are typically loaded with protein isolates or Made with other chemicals.
The intense industrial processes used to produce ultra-processed foods are natural structure stripped of many beneficial nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitaminminerals and phytochemicals.
Many of us know that ultra-processed foods harm for our health. However, it is unclear if this is simply due to the low nutritional value of these foods.
Two new studies now show that malnutrition alone may not explain health risks. This suggests that other factors may be required to fully explain their health risks.
Role of inflammation
of first researchOver 20,000 Italian adults were surveyed.
of secondary researchA study of more than 50,000 male U.S. health professionals found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with increased colonic risk. cancer.
What is most interesting about these studies is that the health risks from eating diets high in ultra-processed foods remained even after explaining the low nutritional value of their diets. Other factors Contribute to the harm caused by ultra-processed foods.
It also means that getting adequate nutrients elsewhere in the diet may not be enough to offset the risk of illness from consuming ultra-processed foods.
Similarly, attempts by the food industry to add a few vitamins to improve the nutritional value of ultra-processed foods may be sidestepping a more fundamental problem with these foods.
So what factors could explain why ultra-processed foods are so detrimental to our health?
An Italian study found that inflammatory markers, such as increased white blood cell counts, were higher in the group that ate the most highly processed foods.
Our body can trigger an inflammatory response for many reasons, such as when we catch a cold or when we are injured. and bacteria). virus).
Our inflammatory response usually subsides quickly, but some people develop chronic inflammation throughout the body. tissue damageand has been implicated in many chronic diseases. cancer When cardiovascular disease.
Many studies have found that poor diet can increase inflammation in the body. higher risk of chronic illness.
Given that Italian study participants who ate the most ultra-processed foods showed signs of inflammation, this may contribute to why ultra-processed foods increase disease risk. suggests that
Some food additives common in ultra-processed foods, such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, also cause inflammation in the gut. Changes in intestinal flora.
Some researchers theorize that ultra-processed foods increase inflammation. This is because, like invading bacteria, it is perceived by the body as a foreign substance.fast food feverThe result is increased inflammation throughout the body.
The US colon cancer study did not establish whether inflammation was increased in men who consumed the most ultra-processed foods, but inflammation was Increased risk of colon cancer.
Research suggests other mechanisms – renal dysfunction When toxins in packaging – It may also explain why ultra-processed foods cause so many dangerous health problems.
The inflammatory response is built into our bodies, so the best way to prevent this is to avoid eating ultra-processed foods at all.
Some plant-based diets high in natural, unprocessed foods ( mediterranean diet) have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
This may also explain why a plant-based diet free of ultra-processed foods can help prevent chronic diseaseAt present, it is not known to what extent an anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce the effects of ultra-processed foods.
Simply reducing your intake of ultra-processed foods can be difficult. Ultra-processed foods are designed to be very tasty, and coupled with compelling marketing, this makes it very difficult to resist. some people.
These foods are not even labeled as such on the food packaging.the best way identification They are by looking at the ingredients. Emulsifiers, thickeners, protein isolates, and other industrial-sounding products usually indicate that it is an ultra-processed food.
But making meals from scratch using whole foods is the best way to avoid the harm of ultra-processed foods.
Richard HoffmanAssociate Lecturer, Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hertfordshire
The original publisher of this article was conversation. read Original work.
