You risk your life if you eat a lot of ultra-processed foods - New study

If you're still wondering why ultra-processed food is bad for you, you should read about this 30-year study. 

Scientist from Boston discovered that people who eat significant quantities of ultra-processed foods have a slightly higher risk of premature death than those who eat whole foods like grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and minimally processed foods and single ingredients foods like 100% nut butters, and healthy oils. 

The research team led by senior researcher Mingyang Song, an associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, looked at the different studies from over a 30-year long period. 

Ultra-processed foods = higher risk of death

Those who ate the most ultra-processed foods regularly (seven servings a day) had a 4% higher risk of death overall and a 9% higher risk of death from causes other than cancer or heart disease.

Meat-based ready-to-eat products, sweetened beverages, dairy-based desserts, and ultra-processed breakfast foods mainly drove the higher risk of death. 

The research team led by senior researcher Mingyang Song, an associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, looked at the different studies from over a 30-year long period. 

How is ultra-processed food made?

Ultra-processed foods are mostly made in an industrial way from contents extracted from whole foods, such as starch, protein, and saturated fats mixed with natural additives like sugar, salt or other chemical substances like colourants, flavourings, stabilisers, and emulsifiers. All that is supposed to make them sweeter, saltier, tastier, more attractive -  fluffy, more crunchy and more addictive for consumers. It also helps producers and brands make food with longer shelf life. 

What are the examples of ultra-processed foods?

It's easy to spot ultra-processed foods in the major supermarkets. These products are presented in pretty colourful packaging, have a long ingredient list, and have a long expiry date. 

This includes deli meats, sausages, baked goods, breakfast cereals, ready meals, pre-made meals, snacks, desserts and ice cream.  

There is more evidence showing these foods are linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, diabetes and cancers.