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It always seems easier to grab a pocket of chips or order a pizza than to cut the vegetables and cook a meal. It seems convenient, less time consuming and at times, cheaper, especially on one of those ‘sales’ days. But have you ever imagined the cost you are paying apart from the money? Although it is common knowledge that ultra processed food (UPF) is not generally healthy, new studies suggest that it might be more harmful than you thought.
What Is Ultra Processed Food?
Ultra-processed foods are those food products that undergo extensive industrial processing and typically contain ingredients not commonly used in home cooking, such as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Packaged snacks, sugary drinks, processed meats, and ready-made meals from restaurants or subways are some common examples.
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Link Between Ultra-Processed Foods And Health Problems
A landmark study in Canada has substantiated a direct link between the consumption of ultra processed food and serious health disorders and diseases. Although the scientific community has always agreed on the fact that these UPFs were not particularly healthy, the extent of harm wasn’t known. However this study and a few other recent studies have rang alarm bells as to how these UPFs can lead to severe health conditions.
The researchers from McMaster University studied people with higher UPF consumption and then analysed the risk factors including blood pressure, cholesterol levels (LDL and HDL), waist circumference and Body Mass Index (BMI). Subjects included 6,000 adults across Canada, across ages, health statuses and social and financial backgrounds. The Canadian Health Measures Survey then gave the subjects a questionnaire where they were asked different questions on their consumption and the ongoing health issues they suffered from. Later, the experts personally assessed the participants at mobile clinics.
“Those who consumed the most UPF were more likely to be male, have lower incomes, less education, and report eating fewer fruits and vegetables. Compared to those who consumed the least amount of UPF, they had significantly higher blood pressure, insulin, triglyceride levels, waist circumference, and BMI. Inflammation, insulin resistance, and poor metabolic regulation—all of which are known predictors of heart disease and type 2 diabetes—are just a few of the ways that ultra-processed foods may affect health. Researchers found that many of the associations between UPF consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors persisted even after controlling for BMI,” the study concluded.
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Ultra Processed Foods Linked With Low Sperm Count, Depression And Anxiety
The Canadian study is not alone in sounding alarm bells regarding the ultra processed food, commonly referred to as junk food. Another study, conducted last year in Nigeria suggested that intake of ultra processed food exaggerated depression and anxiety in patients who already suffered from the mental health conditions.
Another cross-sectional study by BioMed Central Journal analysis showed significant trends connecting higher UPF intake with lower sperm concentration, even though it did not find any significant associations between UPF consumption and impaired sperm motility and morphology.
Conclusion
We are what we eat and there are no two ways about it. What we consume always affects our health, and as a result if we take food that has added preservatives, chemicals, sugar and is prone to diseases, our health is going to pay the real price, as these studies suggest. The experts advise to consume primarily organic, and home cooked meals, avoid eating ultra processed food (unless absolutely necessary) and be conscious of what we are putting into our system.