A recent study published in January in the journal Nature Food raises significant concerns about the health impacts of ultra-processed foods. These products are laden with a myriad of chemical additives and ingredients. Unsurprisingly, they represent 70% of the grocery store aisles stocking the best-selling items in the average grocery store.
Ultra-processed foods are those that contain industrial ingredients like added sugars and preservatives – think soda, packaged snacks, frozen meals. In the United States, the typical person gets over half their daily calories from these ultra-processed foods. Public health scientists have long warned that a diet high in ultra-processed foods could lead to serious health consequences, including premature death.
The study analyzed data from eight countries and highlighted a concerning trend: each 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake correlates with a 3% increase in the risk of early death, defined as death occurring between the ages of 30 and 69. The implications are huge. According to experts, almost 2 of every 100 people who die annually in the U.S. likely would have lived longer had they eaten fewer ultra-processed foods. That would likely translate into about 124,000 fewer premature deaths every two years as a result of healthier diets.
These results really underscore the extent to which a diet high in ultra-processed foods can shorten a person’s life by decades. And consumers are pre-ordering these products by the millions. …but the risks associated with their production and consumption are more concerning than ever.
“Whole Foods offers a greater selection of minimally processed items and fewer ultra-processed options, whereas Target has a particularly high proportion of ultra-processed products.” – Nature Food study
Given these results, the good news is that there is a movement afoot to get consumers more aware and concerned about what is really in their food. Free apps such as Processed give everyone the ability to scan food items and uncover information about how processed they are. Through this technology, consumers are now in control of the information they need to make healthier decisions. It equips them to walk grocery store aisles, typically inundated with ultra-processed fare.
Fortunately, awareness of the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods is growing. In turn, American public health officials have called for us to reduce our consumption of such food. We urge people to switch to a diet focused on whole, mostly minimally processed foods that promote health and prolong life.
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