Ultra-processed foods are combinations of various artificial ingredients such as emulsifiers, thickeners and artificial flavors, which are incorporated into food products through a series of manufacturing processes. Sugary drinks and many breakfast cereals fall under the “ultra-processed” category, as do the latest innovations, such as so-called “vegan” burgers, which are typically made with protein isolates and other chemicals to make products palatable, according to The Conversation.
Destruction of the natural structure
The intensive industrial processes used to produce ultra-processed foods, whether foods or beverages, destroy the natural structure of food components and strip them of many beneficial nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Therefore, it is associated with a number of different health conditions, including an increased risk of obesity and various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Colon cancer and early death
Two new studies show that the risks of eating “ultra-processed” foods may not be limited to malnutrition, heart disease and dementia.
The first study, which examined health data from more than 20,000 Italian adult participants, found that those who ate more ultra-processed foods had an increased risk of premature death. The second study, involving more than 50,000 males in the United States, found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.
fundamental problems
It is also interesting that the results of the studies revealed that the health risks of a diet rich in ultra-processed foods remained even after they were eaten alongside healthy and wholesome nutrients. Likewise, attempts by the food industry to improve the nutritional value of ultra-processed foods by adding a few vitamins may be a side step to the more fundamental problems these foods cause.
Chronic infections and tissue damage
The Italian study revealed that markers of inflammation, such as a higher white blood cell count, were higher in the groups that ate the most processed foods. Some people can develop chronic inflammation throughout the body, which can cause tissue damage and contribute to many chronic diseases – such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as increasing inflammation in the gut by causing changes in the gut microbiome.
fast food fever
Some researchers have hypothesized that ultra-processed foods increase inflammation because the body recognizes them as foreign components such as invading bacteria, so an escalation of an inflammatory response, called a “fast food fever,” leads to increased inflammation throughout the body.
Irresistible taste
Research shows that other mechanisms, such as impaired kidney function and toxins in the pack, can also explain why ultra-processed foods cause so many serious health problems.
At the same time, even trying to cut back on ultra-processed foods can be a challenging challenge, especially given that ultra-processed foods are designed to be overly palatable, and there are so many persuasive marketing efforts.
Avoiding risks
Life and health-threatening food products are not labeled “ultra-processed” on packaging but the best way to identify them is to look at their ingredients, which are usually labels such as emulsifiers, thickeners, protein isolates and other artificially sounding products that are signs that the packaging contains Heavy synthetically processed items. Experts advise that the lifeline is to prepare diets from scratch using natural nutrients to avoid the harms of ultra-processed foods.