HEALTH
Food for thought
Ultra-processed foods aren't just salty snacks and sweet treats - they're often healthy sounding staples that may actually be harming our health
by KAREN EVENNETT
If your local supermarket had an aisle signposted 'Ultra-Processed Foods', you'd probably give it a wide berth, or at least save it for occasional treats.
In reality, Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) are spread around the whole store - and probably in everyone's trolley - because it's not just the obvious suspects: crisps, biscuits and ready meals. Packaged sliced bread, fruit yogurts, sausages and many breakfast cereals also count as ultra-processed.
It's estimated that 56.8% of calorie intake in UK adults may come from UPF. Why is this important? Numerous studies have shown an association with cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and premature death.
'One recent study found that, for every 10% increase in the proportion of UPF, the risk of cardiovascular problems went up by 12%,' says Dr Marilyn Glenville, nutritionist and author of Natural Solutions to Diabetes.'UPF was also linked to a 62% higher risk of early death from any cause in 2019 research published in the