One in six British adults say they are addicted to ultra-processed foods, according to a new study.
Eating lots of convenience foods, sugary cereals or mass-produced bread has been linked to health problems such as heart disease and some cancers.
These ultra-processed products – which do not normally contain ingredients found in a normal home kitchen – often lack essential nutrients and are typically high in added sugar, fat and salt, additives and other chemicals .
However, most adults report regularly consuming foods that they consider ultra-processed.
Nearly nine in ten people say they eat ultra-processed foods (UPF) at least once a week. A quarter reported consuming UPF every day.
One in six British adults say they are addicted to ultra-processed foods, new study finds (stock image)
These ultra-processed products – which normally do not contain ingredients found in a normal home kitchen – often lack essential nutrients while they are usually high in added sugar, fat and salt, additives and other chemicals ( stock image)
Experts said poll suggested millions of people were putting themselves at risk of serious health problems (stock image)
Your browser does not support iframes.
The Nova system, developed by Brazilian scientists more than a decade ago, divides foods into four groups based on the degree of processing they have undergone. Unprocessed foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs and meat. Processed culinary ingredients – which are typically not eaten on their own – include oils, butter, sugar and salt.
Worryingly, 17 percent of them consider themselves addicted. The findings come from a survey of 5,000 adults by healthy eating platform Lifesum, which also found a third consumed UPFs when stressed. Another third appreciated the convenience.
Experts said the poll suggested millions of people were putting themselves at risk of serious health problems.
Earlier this year, the world’s largest study on UPFs found that they increased the risk of harmful effects on all parts of the body when consumed in large quantities.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that a diet high in UPF increased the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 50%.
People who regularly consumed UPF were also more likely to be obese and suffer from lung disease and sleep problems.
UPFs are also often created to be soft and easy to eat, meaning they are more likely to be consumed in larger quantities.
The survey also found that most adults said consuming UPF negatively impacted their mood and reduced their energy levels.
“UPFs are full of things humans are programmed to crave – fat, sugar and salt,” says Dr Duane Mellor, of Aston University, Birmingham. “But most contain unhealthy high levels. It can be easy for people to get used to seeking out these types of meals.
dailymail us
