Watch Dr. Marcotte’s video as she explains the dangers of ultraprocessed foods on your body!
A new study of over 197,000 people in the UK, with over half of them being women, reveals that consuming ultraprocessed foods increases the likelihood of both developing and dying from cancer, with a particular emphasis on ovarian cancer. Ultraprocessed foods include pre-packaged soups, sauces, ready-to-eat meals, hot dogs, sausages, french fries, sodas, store-bought baked goods, candies, and ice cream, among others. These foods are produced using industrially derived ingredients and often contain food additives to enhance their color, flavor, consistency, and extend shelf life.
According to Dr. Kiara Chang, a National Institute for Health and Care Research Fellow at Imperial College London’s School of Public Health, our bodies may not respond positively to these additives and ultra-processed ingredients in the same way as they do to minimally processed, fresh, and nutritious foods. However, it is important to note that people who consume more ultra-processed foods also tend to have an overall unhealthier diet, with a lower intake of vegetables, coffee, and tea, and a higher intake of sugary drinks.
Thus, it is possible that the impact of ultra-processed foods may not be solely due to their consumption, but rather a reflection of a general pattern of unhealthy eating habits.
