What is ultra-processed food and what does it mean for your health? | BBC News

There has been a lot of debate around the world about ultra-processed food and some studies have suggested it is linked to poor health.

But, what exactly is ultra-processed food and is it harmful for us?

[marijo]

The fact that the UK's Health Minister is married to the CEO of British Sugar seems emblematic of the link between government and the ultra-processed food industry!

[ResinAlchemist]

Ultra processed, high sugar, fatty, and fast food with chemical colors and flavorings are absolutely everywhere in the U.S.
They are served to children in schools, adverts everywhere, and these products are cheaper and more readily available to lower income adults and children. They are dangerous. Cancer, obesity, neurological issues, migraines, renal problems, cardiac issues, liver problems. Learn from our failures keep these out of your, and your family's diets at any cost. It's not worth it.

[jessejamez]

How many articles a day about how corporations are destroying our lives and nobody does anything.

[steveholbrom]

Someone on my Facebook posted a photo of a bag of snacks that had a label saying: Causes reproductive harm. He was outraged, but not in the way we all expected. He didn't want to "think about that sh** when he is eating them." He thought those labels shouldn't be allowed. This is one of our issues in America and that is how he will use his vote.

[Tommoful]

This guys basically changed my life over the last 9 months. Forever grateful.

[Phlegethon]

lol he told the reporter off for repeating the food industry’s lies

[PropaneWP]

One of the key mantras of commercial industry is to _always_ keep trying to replace ingredients and components for something cheaper.

[dougrussell]

As a farmer in Vermont I can tell you that the United States is loaded with ultra-processed food for no good reason

[hilaryporter]

Gosh, its refreshing hearing the truth.

[davidcarbone]

Many supermarket foods in South America are labeled, HIGH FAT, HIGH SUGAR, HIGH SODIUM, HIGH CALORIES, way more advanced than the USA.

[lewys]

Class 1 driver here - wheres the healthy food at service stations.... can't find any.. so we tend to bring food with us. Just imagine the untapped market for drivers and ppl in general who want to eat healthier.

[RovexHD]

Canteens are serving kids absolute crap. It’s the ever evolving food culture in England.

[sci-fi.tsunami]

"Drive down the prices of real food." When do they ever "drive down" the prices on anything? Prices only go in 1 direction *UP!*

[shmookins]

The writer's name is: Chris van Tulleken.
You should have written it on screen or in the video description. I had to google by ear to find him since you said his name fast and it sounded uncommon to my ear.
I'll look up his book.

[zacharyc]

Living in Thailand, one of the many developing' countries, ultra processed foods are lining shelves in our supermarkets and very little attempts are made by the govt to address this phenomenon. A good portion is imported from developed world and an even greater number is our own. Big businesses here are really good at transforming 'real' food into something else 😢

[KJSvitko]

Heart disease is the number one killer of people today and cancer is number two.
Being over weight is the number one factor leading to an early death.
People who are over weight have higher risks for high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Even children today have signs of artery disease. Fast foods and sugary drinks have long term consequences.
There is an obesity epidemic today where over 60% of the population is overweight or obese.
What is common today and "NORMAL" is not healthy. The average person today is not healthy and is taking medications.
Heart attacks were once only common in people over 65. Today people in their 40 are having heart attacks.
Add more plants and vegetables to your diet and less junk and overly processed foods

[tomalexander]

This was fascinating. I wish there was more time given to it.

[thewaywardgrape]

Processed Bread is as far removed from Bread as you can get. Nutritionally, they're not even close. Make your own bread.

[arnehayn]

It is sad that this topic has to be highlighted still, I learned about it 40 years ago in University.

[nancys.]

Part of the issue is our workaholic culture. I would love to have time during the day to prepare nutritious meals especially for lunches but my employer only gives 30 minutes for lunch as so many companies do. Weekends are taken up with errands, cleaning and other home projects so still not a lot of time for meal prep. Having said that, I don't eat fast food and try to limit the processed foods in our household but prepping and cooking takes time and energy.