June 11, 2023, Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A: Cheez-It, Pringles and other huge bins of junk food are featured at reduced prices at the front of Ralphs Grocery store in downtown Santa Barbara — the luxury beach town of Santa Barbara, where there is great economic disparity between the haves and have-nots. (Credit Image: © Amy Katz/ZUMA Press Wire)
Studies show that ultra-processed foods increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Foods we think of as healthy, like sandwiches, wraps, soups and low-fat meals, are actually ultra-processed foods.
The addition of black warning labels to the packaging of ultra-processed products is required.
According to two recent STARK studies by scientists, ultra-processed foods significantly increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack and stroke, writes the British publication The Guardian. In the UK and US, over half of the average diet now consists of ultra-processed foods (UPF). For some, especially young people, with a precarious financial situation or from disadvantaged areas, a diet that includes up to 80% processed products is typical.
The first study, which followed 10,000 women for 15 years, found that those with the highest proportion of ultra-processed foods in their diet were up to 39% more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with a lower UPF consumption.
The second study, a meta-analysis of more than 325,000 men and women, found that those who ate the most ultra-processed foods were 24 percent more likely to have cardiovascular events, including heart attacks. heart, stroke and angina pectoris.
The findings were revealed at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Amsterdam, where thousands of world-renowned doctors, scientists and researchers were briefed on the studies. The results prompted calls from experts for urgent action.
What are ultra-processed foods and why are they harmful?
Ultra-processed foods are products that have gone through several processes during production. They are often high in salt and sugar and may contain additives and preservatives. The foods are often low in fiber and lack the nutrients found in fresh or minimally processed foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, plain yogurt, and homemade bread.
One of the researchers behind the studies, Anushriya Pant, from the University of Sydney, said many people were unaware that foods they thought were healthy, such as sandwiches, wraps, soups and low-fat meals, were actually UPF. “It could be that foods you think are healthy are actually contributing to the development of high blood pressure,” she said.
Warning labels on processed food packages
Dr Chris Van Tulleken, another researcher, called for black warning labels to be added to UPF packaging, as is already the case in Chile and Mexico, and said there should be a restriction on the marketing of UPF, particularly of advertisements aimed at children.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care said it had already introduced legislation to restrict the placement and promotion of certain products in supermarkets to discourage unhealthy food choices.
“Given that UPF makes up 55% of our diet, this should be a wake-up call. If there is something inherent in food processing that is harmful, then this is a disaster,” the researcher added.
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2023-08-28 12:48:33
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