The scientific reason why ultra-processed foods harm your health

Why are they so popular? Here's the convenience factor: Ultra-processed foods are ready to be eaten hot

Ultra-processed foods are by no means natural foods

These foods taste great and will make you want to eat more

Ultra-processed foods not only contribute to weight gain and obesity, but also increase the risk of other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Ultra-processed foods harm cardiometabolic health

Heart health problems! Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in Western countries, and ultra-processed foods impair heart and metabolic health, leading to an epidemic of heart disease and stroke

One study looked at five markers of cardiometabolic health: blood lipids, body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, and whether someone has cardiovascular disease

Ultra-processed foods contain refined carbohydrates, which can trigger harmful blood sugar spikes and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Manufacturers target ultra-processed foods for children

Equally worrying is the fact that manufacturers are targeting children with advertisements for junk food such as breakfast cereals

Manufacturers lure kids with cartoon graphics on the packaging and fun-sounding names like "Oreo" or "Goldfish

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 percent of children in the United States are obese

Ultra-processed foods cause these problems because they are high in sugar and fat and low in nutrients like fiber and vitamins

Ultra-processed foods may be bad for gut health

Ultra-processed foods also contain additives, including emulsifiers, that may disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria, the so-called gut microbiome

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