Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are high in fats, sugars and salt and have been linked to obesity as well as heart and circulatory problems
It is now the most commonly consumed ultra-processed food
A nutrition expert has warned against one particular ultra-processed food (UPF) she’d steer well clear of amidst growing concerns that UPFs are connected to various health issues. High in fats, sugars, and salt, UPFs are culprits behind obesity, heart disease and circulatory problems.
The pesky UPFs sneak into diets using ingredients not found in your average kitchen – think sweeteners, stabilisers, colours and flavours. If the ingredients on a label read like a science experiment, chances are it’s a UPF, say the experts.
From processed meats and sugary cakes to crispy crisps, convenience meals, and a plethora of items lining the shelves of your local supermarket freezers, fridges, and even the canned goods section these are all UPFs.
Experts recommend sticking to natural drinks such as water – and even something like tea or coffee
Jinan Banna, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at the University of Hawaii, dished the dirt to CNBC, saying: “They often are stripped of their nutritional values. So they may have very little vitamins and minerals [and] fibre.”
Studies have tossed everything from dementia to diabetes into the mix when it comes to UPF-related risks. Banna highlighted: “Some UPFs I would never consume, such as soda. Soda doesn’t have any nutritional value other than just calories in the form of sugar. So they’re empty calories, which don’t give us any of the nutrients that we need.”, reports Gloucestershire Live.
A man with a shopping basket takes a few cola cans from a supermarket shelf
She further explained: “Plain water, of course, is a great alternative. Even coffee can be an option, of course, consumed in moderation.”
Diet soft drinks, the most consumed Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs), are typically packed with sweeteners, flavours and colours. Despite their low or zero-calorie content, they contain chemicals that have raised concerns in some studies.
Non-diet soft drinks, while containing similar chemicals, also carry high sugar levels. In the UK, due to taxes, some beverages have reduced their sugar content, while others have maintained their original recipes but at a higher cost.
