Recent studies show that people who eat more ultra-processed foods are at an increased risk of dying from all causes. Greater consumption is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and colon cancer. Ultra-processed foods are products made more palatable by changing their makeup with industrial ingredients like emulsifiers, preservatives, artificial flavors, and artificial sweeteners. This processing often strips foods of their natural nutrients and fiber.
A study in Italy found that even when a diet high in ultra-processed foods was supplemented by vitamins and other nutrients, the damaging effects on a person's health remained. Further study found that high ultra-processed food consumers also had markers of higher levels of inflammation. It's possible that the human body sees the artificial ingredients in such foods as invaders, which triggers the immune system to go into high gear. But with no biological invaders, such as bacteria or viruses, to fight against, the immune system puts chronic stress on the body. Read more about this research into ultra-processed foods at Real Clear Science.
(Image credit: National Cancer Institute)
