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Processed Foods May Not be as Unhealthy as we Thought:

Concerns, over highly processed foods, have intensified, as they account for 50%-60% of total energy consumption, in some high-income countries, and among many cruisers, often surpassing fresh food consumption.
However, it may be incorrect, to assume that all processed foods have the same negative health effects.

The findings, of a significant international study*, shed light on the health effects of highly processed foods. While regular consumption of meat products, and sugary drinks, does increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, other processed foods can be beneficial, according to the study*, published in The Lancet.

Despite being part of the ultra-processed foods category, bread and cereals can reduce the risk of these diseases, due to their fibre content. Similarly, while sauces, spreads, and condiments negatively impact human health, they are less harmful, than animal products and soft drinks.

Moreover, sweets and desserts, prepared meals, salty snacks, and plant-based meat alternatives, previously thought to be problematic, are harmless. The authors assert that treating all processed products, as universally detrimental to health, is neither wise, nor justified.

The research is based on an analysis of the dietary habits, and disease history, of 266,666 individuals, across seven European countries.

"Our findings suggest that higher consumption of UPFs increases the risk of cancer and cardiometabolic multimorbidity [the coexistence of multiple life-shortening diseases such as cancer and heart disease]," the researchers wrote, in the paper*.

However, the study* highlights that: completely avoiding highly processed foods, is unnecessary. Instead, their consumption should be limited, with a preference for fresh or minimally processed foods.


* “Consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of multimorbidity of cancer and cardiometabolic diseases: a multinational cohort study” ~ by Reynalda Cordova et al
➥ https://www.thelancet.com/journals/l...190-4/fulltext