Tag: Ultraprocessed foods

In high-income countries like the U.S., ultra-processed foods account for over half of daily calorie intake for adults. This article explains what are the most ultraprocessed foods, highlights their prevalence, and delves into the extensive processing they undergo.

According to a September 2023 study published in *JAMA Network Open*, participants with the highest intake of ultraprocessed foods had a 50% higher risk of developing depression than those who ate the least, raising critical questions about whether ultraprocessed foods raise the risk of depression.

According to the American Medical Association, ultraprocessed foods account for 57% of caloric intake in adults and a staggering 67% in children, fueling a national and global health crisis. This widespread consumption is at the heart of a fierce debate among scientists, nutritionists, and policymakers about whether these industrially-created products are inherently harmful or simply correlated with poor health outcomes.

According to a 2024 review published in *The BMJ*, increased exposure to ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular and mental health issues. This has fueled a widespread public and media narrative that paints UPFs in an overwhelmingly negative light.

According to a 2024 study published in The BMJ, consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) is linked to a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, with some types being more harmful than others. The ultraprocessed food category is vast, encompassing everything from sugary drinks to some fortified breakfast cereals, suggesting that not all UPFs are created equal. This diversity means the health impact varies significantly depending on the specific product's ingredients and nutritional profile.

According to studies, high consumption of ultraprocessed foods is consistently linked with accelerated biological aging, where a person's biological clock ticks faster than their chronological age. This concerning connection suggests that more than just poor nutrition may be at play, pointing toward the industrial processing methods as a key factor.

According to the CDC, over half of the calories consumed by Americans come from ultraprocessed foods. But what do doctors wish patients understood about these convenient, ubiquitous products and their significant impact on long-term health?

While smoking remains the primary risk factor for lung cancer, accounting for the vast majority of cases, a 2025 study in the journal *Thorax* revealed that high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 41% increased risk of lung cancer. This growing evidence suggests that dietary choices, once thought to be secondary, play a more significant and independent role in modulating lung cancer risk than previously understood.

According to the NOVA classification system, which categorizes food by processing level, ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations often containing multiple additives. Given this framework, are SunChips ultraprocessed, despite being marketed as a whole-grain snack?