Heart attack for dementia, ultra-processed food is the silent killer

In countries such as the UK, US and Canada, ultra-processed foods are now 50% or more of calories consumed. This is worrying, given that these foods have been linked to a number of different health conditions, including increased risk. obesity and various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease And Madness,

Sugary drinks and many breakfast cereals are ultra-processed foods, as are recent innovations, such as the so-called “Plant Based” BurgersWhich are usually made of protein isolates and other chemicals to flavor the products.

Rapid industrial processes used to produce ultra-processed foods destroy natural structure of food and take away many beneficial nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.

Many of us are well aware that ultra-processed foods are injurious to our health. But it is not clear whether this is simply because these foods are of poor nutritional value. Now, two new studies have shown that poor nutrition may not be enough to explain their health risks. This suggests that other factors may be needed to fully explain their health risks.

first studywhich looked at more than 20,000 health Italian adults, found that participants who consumed the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods had an increased risk of dying prematurely from any cause. second studyA study that looked at more than 50,000 US male health professionals found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a greater risk of colon cancer.

What is most interesting about these studies is that the health risks from eating a diet high in ultra-processed foods persisted even when they were attributed to the poor nutritional quality of their diet. this shows that other factors Contribute to the damage caused by over-processed foods.

It also implies that getting the right nutrients elsewhere in the diet may not be enough to cancel out the risk of disease from consuming ultra-processed foods. Similarly, efforts by the food industry to add a few more vitamins to the nutritional value of ultra-processed foods may address another fundamental problem with these foods.

So what factors might explain why ultra-processed foods are so harmful to our health?

The Italian study found that inflammatory markers — such as a high white blood cell count — were higher in the groups that ate the most processed foods. Our bodies can trigger an inflammatory response for a number of reasons – for example, if we catch a cold or get cut. The body responds by sending signals to our immune cells (such as white blood cells) to attack any invading pathogens (such as bacteria or viruses).

Usually, our inflammatory response heals very quickly, but some people can develop chronic inflammation throughout their bodies. It can cause tissue damage, and is involved in many chronic diseases – such as: cancerAnd cardiovascular disease,

Several studies have found that a poor diet can increase inflammation in the body, and this has been linked to higher risk of chronic diseases. Given that symptoms of inflammation were observed in participants of the Italian study who ate the most processed foods, this may suggest that inflammation may be contributing to why ultra-processed foods increase disease risk. Certain food additives common in highly-processed foods (such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners) also increase inflammation in the gut. changes in the gut microbiome,

Some researchers have theorized that ultra-processed foods increase inflammation because they are recognized by the body as foreign – like an invading bacteria. So the body mounts an inflammatory response, which has been dubbed “fast food feverThis increases inflammation throughout the body.

Although the US Colon Cancer Study has not established that men who consume the most processed foods have an increased inflammation, inflammation is strongly associated with one. Increases risk of colon cancer,

Since inflammatory responses are harsh in our bodies, the best way to prevent this from happening is by not eating ultra-processed foods at all. Some plant-based diets are high in natural, unprocessed foods (such as Mediterranean diet) has also been shown to be anti-inflammatory. This may also explain why a plant-based diet free of ultra-processed foods may help ward off chronic diseases, It is not currently known to what extent an anti-inflammatory diet can help counteract the effects of highly-processed foods.

Reducing your intake of only ultra-processed foods can be a challenge. Ultra-processed foods are designed to be ultra-delicious—and with persuasive marketing, it can make resisting them a huge challenge. some people,

These foods are also not labeled on food packaging. The best way to identify them is to look at their ingredients. Typically, things like emulsifiers, thickeners, protein isolates, and other industrial-sounding products are a sign that this is an over-processed food. But making meals from scratch using natural foods is the best way to avoid the pitfalls of ultra-processed foods.

Richard Hoffman is an associate lecturer, nutritional biochemistry at the University of Hertfordshire

Article Originally appeared in the World Economic Forum.

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