Headlines about ultra-processed foods abound. Though they’ve become a staple in the American diet, the type of food is proving to have detrimental effects on human health. For example, studies have linked the food group to early death, chronic disease, and stifled weight loss and gut health. Now, scientists have found that ultra-processed foods may significantly impact heart disease risk.
If you’re not familiar with the definition of ultra-processed foods, they are considered by the Nova classification system as industrial formulations made mostly or entirely from substances extracted from foods (such as oils, fats, sugar, starch, and protein isolates) or synthesized in laboratories (such as artificial flavorings, colorings, non-sugar sweeteners, and emulsifiers).
Examples include commercially produced breads, desserts, deli meats, breakfast cereals, soy burgers, flavored yogurts, ready-to-heat meals like frozen pizzas, soft drinks, and candy. Past research has indicated that over 73% of the U.S. food supply is ultra-processed.
Read Full Article Here
