Fang Fang Zhang, co-lead author of one study, said ultra-processed foods are typically industrial ready-to-eat or heated foods made with ingredients taken from foods or synthesized in a laboratory. It is a compound that has been
It may seem obvious, but eating a lot of ultra-processed foods isn’t good for your health.
According to CNN, two new large-scale studies of people in the United States and Italy, published this week in the BMJ (British Medical Journal), found that eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods was linked to heart disease and premature death in both men and women. was found to cause These foods include sauces, frozen pizza, hot dogs, French fries, store-bought cookies, cakes, candies, donuts, and ice cream.
“Literally hundreds of studies link ultra-processed foods to obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and overall mortality,” says Paulette Goddard, emeritus professor of nutrition, food science and Public health expert Marion Nestlé reported to CNN.
Nestlé, who was not involved in either study, has also authored numerous books on food policy and marketing. “These two studies are consistent. Ultra-processed foods are positively associated with an increased risk of chronic disease,” she noted.
This US-based study examined the diets of more than 200,000 men and women for up to 28 years and found an association between ultra-processed foods and colorectal cancer (the third most common cancer in the nation) in men. However, this was not the case for women. , according to CNN.
Several organizations, including the American Cancer Society, have long associated eating processed and ultra-processed meats such as ham, bacon, salami, and hot dogs with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer in men and women. I discovered that there is
However, the latest research has found that all forms of ultra-processed foods contribute in some way.
“We found that men with the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods had a 29% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to men with the lowest consumption.” Friedman, Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston School.
Zhang also noted that men who consume more ready-to-eat foods and sugar-sweetened beverages are more likely to have an increased risk of colon cancer.
According to Zhang, these ultra-processed foods are typically industrial ready-to-eat or heated formulations created using ingredients taken from food or synthesized in a laboratory. They typically contain little or no whole foods. They also form a large part of the U.S. diet.
“Americans get most of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods: 58% for adults and 67% for children.” In addition, we should consider replacing ultra-processed foods with unprocessed or minimally processed foods.”
It’s unclear why the study found a lower incidence of colorectal cancer in women, but Zhang said it was due to the different roles played by obesity, sex hormones, and metabolic hormones in men and women. There is a possibility. She also said the study found that eating more ultra-processed dairy products, such as yogurt, was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer in women.
A second study, started in 2005, followed more than 22,000 people over 12 years in Molise, Italy. Its initial goal was to assess risk factors for heart and brain disease as well as cancer.
We measured the effects of nutrient-poor and ultra-processed diets, such as diets high in sugar and saturated or trans fat, on chronic disease and premature death. A BMJ analysis revealed that both types of diets contribute to premature death, especially from cardiovascular problems.
But epidemiologist Marialaura Bonaccio, first author of the IRCCS Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed in Pozzilli, Italy, says that when researchers looked at two foods to see which contributed the most, ultra-processed foods “defining It turns out that it is the most important thing to do. risk of death. ”
According to Bonaccio’s statement, more than 80% of meals labeled as nutritionally unhealthy are also ultra-processed, CNN reported.
“This suggests that the increased mortality risk is not directly (or exclusively) attributable to the low nutritional value of some products, but rather to the fact that most of these foods are ultra-processed. We suggest that we do so,” Bonaccio said.
Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, a gastroenterologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, who wasn’t involved in either study, suggests staying away from ultra-processed foods entirely.
“Some ultra-processed foods may be considered healthier than others, but in general, avoid ultra-processed foods entirely and eat healthy, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes. We recommend focusing on food.
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First to appear in The Grio is a study linking cancer and ultra-processed foods to premature death.