#ultra-processed-foods

#ultra-processed-foods

The increase is real and global, rising from approximately 94,700 cases in 1990 to 225,736 in 2019. A study across Europe found that for those aged 20-29, incidence rose 7.9% per year between 2004 and 2016, with the rates increasing by 4.9% in those aged 3039, and 1.6% in the 40-49 group in roughly the same period. Not only is colon cancer increasing in every age cohort under 50, the growth rate is highest in the youngest group.

The bright packaging promises convenience, flavor, and maybe even a sprinkle of "health benefits." But what if the real story behind those ingredients isn't just empty calories-it's a slow, calculated theft of your vitality, your health, and even your lifespan? A sweeping new study has pulled back the curtain on the deadliest additives lurking in ultra-processed foods (UPFs), revealing a chilling truth: these aren't just snacks or quick meals. They're industrial concoctions engineered to hijack your biology, one synthetic mouthful at a time.

Subway has long presented itself as a "healthier" alternative to other regional fast food chains, but people aren't falling for it anymore. While you can personalize your order to make it that way, the vast majority of what's offered is equally as processed as what you'll find elsewhere. In fact, much of the menu is made up of foods that would be considered "ultra" processed - a category that includes processed meats, sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and mass-produced bread, all things you'll find on the line at Subway.

Before the pandemic, office life left many of us at the mercy of overpriced meal deals, vending machines, and a rushed lunch break. Research shows only 37 per cent of European workers took a full lunch break when working on-site, while 10 per cent of UK workers skip their lunch breaks altogether. Data suggests that office lunches can lean heavily on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) - quick and convenient, but low in nutritional value.

The mum of two and internet sensation is on a mission to make people more informed about ultra-processed foods. Here, she talks about her viral supermarket swaps videos, how buying better can mean spending less, dealing with online critics and why she refuses to work with supermarkets or brands

Later this month, the United Nations General Assembly will discuss a proposal to eliminate trans-fatty acids (trans fats) from diets. These fats are mainly produced industrially. They clog up arteries, increasing people's risk of a heart attack or death. Some 60 countries are already on a path to eliminating these fats and the World Health Organization has certified that 9 have removed industrially produced trans fats from their food supply.

Over the past 50 years, rates of obesity and type-2 diabetes have soared, while sperm quality has plummeted. Driving these changes could be the increasing popularity of ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to a range of poor health outcomes. However, scientists still aren't sure whether it's the industrial nature of the ingredients themselves, the processing of the foods, or whether it's because they lead people to eat more than they should.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contribute to nearly 70% of children’s calories, correlating with a rise in childhood chronic diseases, signaling a public health crisis.

The MAHA Commission's report highlights alarming declines in children's health, attributing these issues to poor diet, over-medicalization, and lack of physical activity.