Experts have pointed out that highly processed foods, or ultra-processed foods, are posing a health risk and need to be addressed immediately.
What you should know
A joint article by 43 food experts from around the world in the Lancet medical journal states that the consumption of ultra-processed foods is increasing rapidly and is linked to nutritional deficiencies and various diseases ranging from obesity to cancer.
Ultra-processed foods are foods or beverages that have been processed on an industrial scale, using chemicals, additives, and processed ingredients, and are low in essential nutrients. These include everything from carbonated drinks to noodles, French fries, cookies, and ice cream.
The study states that the increased use of such foods and beverages, which are processed using various stages of technology and made using chemicals, is harmful to human health, saying that their increased use is harmful to human health.
“The evidence we have now about ultra-processed foods and human health shows that we need to intervene on a global scale,” said Carlos Monteiro, a professor at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. Studies have shown that such foods, which are low in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals, are high in sugar, saturated fat and energy density, leading to the problem of ‘overeating’ or overeating.
In some countries, dependence on highly processed foods is increasing. Researchers have expressed concern that ultra-processed foods account for more than 50 percent of the daily diet of Americans, British and Canadians. Such a problem is also reported to be increasing in Australia. Such a diet causes health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, depression, and it also increases premature death, the study has confirmed.
The study says that excess sugar, salt and fat should not be the only problem. People who eat ultra-processed foods consume about 500 to 800 extra calories per day compared to non-ultra-processed foods, and both weight and fat gain faster.
The study suggests that there should be clear provisions on ultra-processed foods in the national food policy. It is also mentioned that the industries that produce such foods have become the biggest obstacle to policy change.
‘Since ultra-processed food is the most profitable business in the food sector, large multinational companies, global supply markets and lobbyists try to influence market expansion, scientific research and public debate, as well as prevent regulation,’ the study says. ‘Companies that produce such foods spend a significant amount of their profits on marketing.’
The study also points out that more research is needed to understand in depth why and how highly processed foods harm health. It also suggests that higher taxes should be imposed on the production of such foods, companies should be required to reuse plastic, and people should be connected to farmers who produce healthy food.
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