Today, Explained
Let’s process food
Dec 22, 2023
Join Chris van Tulleken, an infectious disease specialist and author of Ultra-Processed People, as he shares his month-long adventure consuming ultra-processed foods. He discusses how these foods disrupt our biology and contribute to childhood obesity, revealing shocking marketing strategies. Chris highlights the addictive nature of these products and the challenges of breaking free from them. He advocates for food regulation and emphasizes the urgent need to address food inequality, particularly for marginalized communities.
25:52
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Quick takeaways
- Ultra-processed foods make up a significant portion of the average diet in many countries and can be as addictive as drugs, leading to excessive consumption and disrupting the body's satiety signals.
- The lack of regulations and labeling systems for healthy and unhealthy foods, as well as poor regulation of food additives, highlight the need for government intervention to protect consumers and promote healthier options.
Deep dives
The Rise of Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods have become prevalent due to reasons such as extended shelf life and convenience. These foods often lack nourishing value and increase the risk of obesity. Brazil coined the term 'ultra-processed food' to describe the wide category of highly processed products, which include biscuits, breads, ice cream, and sodas. About 60% of the average diet in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia consists of ultra-processed foods. Surprisingly, many food products marketed as healthy, such as low-salt, low-fat, or low-sugar options, also fit the ultra-processed definition, containing additives like emulsifiers and high fructose corn syrup.
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