Health effects of ultra-processed foods

They tend to be low in fiber and high in calories, salt, added sugar and fat, which are all related to poor health outcomes when eaten excessively.

[10] Additionally, the high glycemic index of many ultra-processed foods can cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, which further stimulates hunger and overeating.

[16][17] These foods also often contain additives such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners that may disrupt gut microbiota and metabolic processes, contributing to an increased risk in developing type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

[24] Ultra-processed foods often contain excessive amounts of sodium, which if consumed too often can lead to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.

They advocate for diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to promote heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease.

An image displaying a supermarket aisle containing many ultra-processed foods, mainly chips.
A supermarket aisle displaying many ultra-processed foods
An diagram showing how fast food can affect the human body, including headaches, depression, acne, dental distress, heart disease or stroke, shortness of breath, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight gain, blood sugar spike, extra calories, insulin resistance, and bloating and puffiness.
A diagram displaying the impact of fast food , a common ultra-processed food, on the human body.
A breast cancer cell.
A breast cancer cell, photographed by a scanning electron microscope, which produces a 3-dimensional images. The overall shape of the cell's surface at a very high magnification. Cancer cells are best identified by internal details, but research with a scanning electron microscope can show how cells respond in changing environments and can show mapping distribution of binding sites of hormones and other biological molecules.
A graph of cardiovascular disease, with risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol.
Graph of the global burden of cardiovascular disease with risk factors.