Ultra Processed Foods News and Research

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Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured goods that contain additives like colors, flavors, emulsifiers, and preservatives, as well as materials that have been extracted from food, such as oils, fats, sugars, starches, and protein isolates. These goods, which include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant noodles, and prepared meals, are made to be shelf-stable, convenient, and extremely palatable. Despite the fact that they are frequently high in energy and low in nutrients, their consumption has grown significantly worldwide. There are calls for public health policies to limit the use of UPFs due to mounting evidence that they are linked to negative health outcomes, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer.

High consumption of ultra-processed food associated with increased body fat, particularly in the abdomen

Researchers evaluate the effects of high ultra-processed food consumption on the distribution of body fat.

26 Mar 2023

Link found between late eating and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods

In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers in Italy examined the associations between meal timing and food processing.

22 Mar 2023

Alarming Projection: By 2035, more than half of the global population will be obese

The World Obesity Atlas predicts that over 51% of the world population will be considered obese by 2035.

2 Mar 2023

Rutgers professor to play a key role in developing new set of dietary guidelines for the Americans

Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, is one of 20 nationally recognized experts appointed to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

28 Feb 2023

Researchers explore Mediterranean diet and its health benefits in managing obesity

A review article published in the journal Experimental Gerontology describes the utility of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in the prevention and management of obesity.

22 Feb 2023

How the human gut microbiota is shaped by diet

A new study in the journal Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology aimed to summarize the impact of specific nutrients as well as diets on the gut microbiota as well as the future perspectives of using diet as a therapeutic microbiome modulator.

20 Feb 2023

Study indicates that ultra-processed foods are linked to depression

The current paper, published in the journal Nutrients, looks at UPFs in relation to depressive symptoms in a group of younger Italian adults.

14 Feb 2023

Early interruption of breastfeeding and sugar consumption contribute to dental caries by age 2

A study involving 800 children shows inclusion of sugar in their diet and early interruption of breastfeeding to be the main factors that contribute to the appearance of dental caries by age 2.

7 Feb 2023

Experts urge UK children's comic the Beano to change its policy of promoting junk foods

Many of the comic's online quizzes revolve around food high in fat, salt and sugar. Experts call it "incredibly irresponsible" and want the company to change its policy.

2 Feb 2023

Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods associated with greater risk of developing cancer

Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods may be linked to an increased risk of developing and dying from cancer, an Imperial College London-led observational study suggests.

31 Jan 2023

COVID-19 is changing behaviors related to how people are exposed to household chemicals

COVID-19 is changing household behaviors related to how we are exposed to various household chemicals linked to poor health outcomes.

18 Jan 2023

Virginia Tech researchers receive three grants to study the effects of ultra-processed foods

Scientists in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are investigating the effects of ultra-processed foods on the human body using a variety of research tools.

13 Dec 2022

Eating ultra-processed foods increases risk of cognitive decline

The consumption of ultra-processed foods increases the risk of cognitive decline, particularly among middle-aged adults.

5 Dec 2022

Eating more foods with higher Food Compass scores lunked to better long-term health outcomes

The idea that what we eat directly affects our health is ancient; Hippocrates recognized this as far back as 400 B.C. But, identifying healthier foods in the supermarket aisle and on restaurant menus is increasingly challenging.

22 Nov 2022

Study links ultra-processed food consumption to premature death

The results of a new study depicted that ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption precipitated premature deaths in Brazil.

9 Nov 2022

Food sustainability incorporated in only 20% of European food-based dietary guidelines

The health of the planet and that of humankind are profoundly interconnected: the way we feed ourselves has a significant impact upon both our own health and that of the environment.

8 Nov 2022

Most adults seeking to lose weight overestimate the healthiness of their diet

In a small study, most adults seeking to lose weight overestimated the healthiness of their diet, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2022.

31 Oct 2022

Maternal ultra-processed food consumption may be linked to increased obesity risk in offspring

A mother's consumption of ultra-processed foods appears to be linked to an increased risk of overweight or obesity in her offspring, irrespective of other lifestyle risk factors, suggests a US study published by The BMJ today.

6 Oct 2022

Study shows how feasible reductions in ultra-processed food consumption positively impact the nutritional quality of diets

Researchers assessed the association between consumption of ultra-processed food and dietary nutrient profiles.

8 Sep 2022

Ultra-processed food may increase colorectal cancer risk in men

A new study reveals that high consumption of ultra-processed foods might increase the risk of colorectal cancer in men.

2 Sep 2022