An astounding 73% of the U.S. food supply is composed of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). And fully 57% of Americans' daily calories come from these nutritionally deprived concoctions.
We know ultra-processed foods are linked to obesity and diabetes and their associated health woes, from sexual dysfunction to dementia. But there's more. According to a study out of Australia, UPFs also affect mental health. It seems folks who get 30% of their calories a day from UPFs have a 27% increased risk of depression.
So why do we eat so much of these nutritionally stripped foods? Another study found that they seduce you and cause weight gain because they are easier to chew, and make your taste buds happy (they're what researchers call hyper-palatable) -- plus they are calorie dense.
The study in Cell Metabolism reveals that folks eat about 500 more calories daily when their food is mostly ultra-processed. That may be because UPFs make folks eat faster. Why? You can swallow ultra-processed foods quickly since they offer none of the resistance to being broken down that comes with high-fiber vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fruits. Another trap: UPFs contain specific combinations of fat, sugar and carbs (think potato chips) that our taste buds love, making them hard to resist (hyper-palatable).
If you want to start to feel and look better, and reduce your risk for chronic disease, it's time to cultivate a love for whole foods that love you back. You can do that with recipes available at LongevityPlaybook.com and in my "What to Eat When Cookbook."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2023 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
