But not only is the science of proving negative health effects difficult, it is harder in an environment muddled by disingenuous efforts. The research into health effects of the artificial...
"In the last decade, the evidence has been slowly growing that ultra-processed food is harmful for us in ways we hadn't thought.
"We're talking about a whole variety of cancers, heart disease, strokes, dementia."
But proving that specific ingredients cause human harm can be challenging - there are a range of other factors in our lifestyles that can cause these diseases. For example: lack of exercise, smoking or sugary diets.
But not only is the science of proving negative health effects difficult, it is harder in an environment muddled by disingenuous efforts. The research into health effects of the artificial sweetener aspartame are only one example.
When Prof Erik Millstone, emeritus professor of science policy at the University of Sussex, reviewed the evidence used by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to conclude that aspartame was safe for human consumption, he…
discovered that 90% of the studies defending the sweetener were funded by large chemical corporations that manufacture and sell aspartame.
And that all the studies suggesting that aspartame may cause harm were funded by non-commercial, independent sources.
So while the jury is still out on the health effects of ultra-processes foods, the alarm bells should be ringing about the relationship between the public, government regulation and the incentives facing for-profit corporations.
"Ultra-processed foods are among the most profitable foods companies can make," says Prof Marion Nestle, a food politics expert and professor of nutrition at New York University.
The chemicals in ultra-processed foods may not be as harmful as cigarettes, but the campaign to cover up their harmful effects sounds familiar.
"Nestle" is quite an ironic name for a food politics expert and professor of nutrition.
"Ultra-processed foods are among the most profitable foods companies can make," says Prof Marion Nestle, a food politics expert and professor of nutrition at New York University.
"Nestle" is quite an ironic name for a food politics expert and professor of nutrition.
I think ultra-processed foods are harmful often because of what they lack rather than what chemicals/preservatives etc they may contain. Most ultra-processed foods are extremely low in fiber, and...
I think ultra-processed foods are harmful often because of what they lack rather than what chemicals/preservatives etc they may contain. Most ultra-processed foods are extremely low in fiber, and reduced fiber intake is causally linked to colon cancer, higher post-prandial glucose spikes and crashes - which over time contributes to T2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and several other conditions. Plus, micronutrients are lacking in processed white grains, compared to their whole grain versions, and ultra-processed foods lack polyphenols and other beneficial phytonutrients in fresh fruits and veggies.
But not only is the science of proving negative health effects difficult, it is harder in an environment muddled by disingenuous efforts. The research into health effects of the artificial sweetener aspartame are only one example.
When Prof Erik Millstone, emeritus professor of science policy at the University of Sussex, reviewed the evidence used by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to conclude that aspartame was safe for human consumption, he…
So while the jury is still out on the health effects of ultra-processes foods, the alarm bells should be ringing about the relationship between the public, government regulation and the incentives facing for-profit corporations.
The chemicals in ultra-processed foods may not be as harmful as cigarettes, but the campaign to cover up their harmful effects sounds familiar.
"Nestle" is quite an ironic name for a food politics expert and professor of nutrition.
Nominative determinism or just a very noticeable coincidence?
Dr. Crusher: Sounds like a coincidence to me
Haha. I thought about making that same comment. :)
I think ultra-processed foods are harmful often because of what they lack rather than what chemicals/preservatives etc they may contain. Most ultra-processed foods are extremely low in fiber, and reduced fiber intake is causally linked to colon cancer, higher post-prandial glucose spikes and crashes - which over time contributes to T2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and several other conditions. Plus, micronutrients are lacking in processed white grains, compared to their whole grain versions, and ultra-processed foods lack polyphenols and other beneficial phytonutrients in fresh fruits and veggies.