You probably saw the headline. “I quit eating very processed food, and this happened!” Or “New research connects super processed foods with high health risk.”
Familiar and popular foods, including ice cream, snack bars, frozen meals and salad dressings, cereals, baking mixes and soda, are “very processed”. This super processed food or UPF contains one or more UPF components including artificial flavor, color, sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, and thick food additives.
Most UPF ingredients are produced through industrial processes and operate and combine with these additives through technologies such as molding and extrusion. Experts agree that foods containing ingredients made in industries and laboratory are characteristic of super processed foods and generally contain large amounts of sugar, fat and salt.
And Americans eat a lot of very processed foods.
Study after studying I blame this food and drink -many people Average AmericanEspecially children -various health and social diseases.
There are some categories of this food Especially harmful: Certain meat, poultry and seafood -based products, sugar and artificially sweet drinks, dairy -based desserts and specific breakfast food items.
Obesity is the most important of the health problems related to UPF. ratio obesity It has soared worldwide with the United States Tandem Increased consumption of super processed foods.
The UPF is also related to other metabolic diseases. Type 2 diabetes,,, line syndrome,,, Crohn’s bottle and Liver disease.
Heart disease and cancer,,, Among other conditionsIt is related to super processed foods. One study found that people who ate and drank most of these items were 50 % higher in risk. melancholia At least more than those who consume.
More than half of US consumption- and rising
Health problems related to super processed foods will continue as long as Americans take them at the current speed.
USA Consumes More UPF than other developed countries. This food is makeup More than half of typical adults Diet in this country- and rise. Consumption in less than 20 years Go up From 54 %of calories in 2001 to 57 %in 2018.
The number is much higher for young people. UPF is configured 2/3 To Children and teenagers -Increased in 67 %in 2018 and 61 %in 1999.
Experts say that very processed foods and drinks are deceived so that people eat more than they want. sodaEngineers are engineered to bring about the desire to consume more. Many UPFs are scientifically designed by food companies It causes the brain’s reward center and It interferes with brain signals It usually prevents undergoing consumption.
Unequal supply and influence
There are more foods that are highly processed in the colors of low -income people and many of the local communities in neighboring neighbors. accessible Unt processed food and fresh produce.
Such inequality causes the imbalance of health results in turn. Black and Asian People experience a higher rate of health damage related to consumption of super processed foods.
Economically, the underprivileged area is the most Exposed At a convenience store Dollar store Fast food restaurant, the center of super processed foods that lack healthy food options. The same is true for many areas of color, mainly because of the history of systematic racial discrimination.
Dollar storeFor example, it is notorious for the prepared sauce. VinegarMuch less fresh agricultural products and other foods. especially It is widespread In rural areas, colored communities and communities living in low -income people.
Play regulation
Consumers should not be forced to shop on the way out of this problem. But the federal government’s slow behavior caused such a situation. The agency did not protect consumers. Since 2000, almost all food chemicals (99 %) have been approved by the chemical industry. Pharmacy.
The Trump administration promised to eliminate the food supply of artificial chemicals, but the jury came up with how quickly it would act.
Opposition to this food is on the legal front. no way suit Eleven huge UPF manufacturers, such as Kraft Heints and Coca Cola, are the first claim to design and market products to attract children. The plaintiff says that the consumption of the UPF is responsible for the development of a 16 -year -old type 2 diabetes and no alcohol liver disease.
The 2025-2030 dietary guidelines, the federal government’s recommendation of health eating habits, will be silent about the UPF issue when announced later this year. After some discussions, the various backgrounds and expert advisory committees of the guidelines I insisted Research that connects UPFs with poor health is not powerful.
Meanwhile, petition It is under consideration to prohibit certain food chemicals submitted by the union of non -profit organizations, including EWG in the FDA. This includes chemicals often found in UPFs: chemicals: titanium dioxide, bisphenol A and butylsomy hydroxyiocol, as well as cancer -causing substances used to process foods such as benzene and ethylene dichloride, methylene and triclorethylene. Red Dye No. 3 is prohibition.
Lord leading the way
If there is no federal rules, we are taking stock prices.
California School Food Safety Act signed in 2024 law prohibition Six harmful food dyes served in public schools. It came to the heel of 2023 The entire state prohibition Chemical Red Dye NO. 3, the manufacture, distribution or sale of a food containing a profile paraben, a broof vegetable oil and potassium bromate.
California has long been a bell -wide state. now Similar behavior From Arizona to Vermont, food chemical rates enacted in the state are sweeping the country according to the introduction, discussion, and some cases. Illinois,,, Pennsylvania and New York.
Golden State Governor Gavin Newsom Executive order In January, the state agency instructs the state agency to minimize the damage of UPF consumption and find a new way to reduce the purchase of UPF purchases of soda, candy and other types, including foods containing artificial dyes.
Another new bill California In public schools, we will build two new food laws by prohibiting especially harmful high -altitude foods.
How to lower the consumption of super processed foods
Who do you want to do small junk food sometimes? Occasionally, it will not cause major health problems. The key is to avoid the health results that can occur by consuming too much. You can:
- Mainly eaten mainly foods such as whole grains, beans, beans and plants Fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Many processed foods are made without UPF ingredients and can be part of a healthy diet. If you choose to eat super -treated foods, do so.
- If you are purchasing packaging foods, choose organic whenever possible. Colleague review EWG Study.
- Study the ingredients and nutrition labels to find out what’s in the food you want to buy. If the ingredients cannot be identified, the product may be supervised and may contain potentially harmful chemicals.
- find Food scoreFor more than 80,000 foods for EWG’s searchable databases, learn more about the purchased products and materials. Products are evaluated according to ingredients, nutrition and processing problems.
