5 Reasons to Quit Ultra-Processed Foods
On Tuesday, I told you how a diet high in ultra-processed foods was found to be associated with developing type 2 diabetes. And I suggested you slowly begin to wean off the foods by making small replacements that add up over time.
Here are 5 more reasons to do just that!
1. Metabolic Syndrome.
A diet high in ultra-processed food is associated with weight gain, and may contribute to metabolic syndrome and chronic disease. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
2. More Calories, Less Satisfaction.
Ultra-processed foods lack fiber and other nutrients, and have higher levels of sugar, fats, and salts. They are highly-palatable with little satiety (meaning you want more, and more and more without feeling full). You tend to eat more, and more frequently.
3. Autoimmune Disease.
A diet high in ultra-processed foods can increase the likelihood of developing autoimmune diseases, because the foods weaken the intestine’s resistance to bacteria, and other hostile elements.
4. Heart Disease.
Researchers in France and Brazil found a diet of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease (conditions affecting blood supply to the heart and brain).
5. All Cause Mortality
Researchers in Spain found consuming more than 4 servings per day of ultra-processed foods is associated with a 62 percent increased risk of death from any cause (all cause mortality) compared to consuming less than 2 servings per day. They further found that for each additional daily serving of ultra-processed food, death risk increased by 18 percent.