Studies have repeatedly warned that ultra-processed foods are harmful to health in many ways. This can lead to the risk of obesity and increased blood pressure and cholesterol. But do you know that regular consumption of these things not only increases the risk of diseases like heart disease and cancer, but they can also increase the risks of premature death?
In a study published in the BMJ journal, researchers have cautioned people about the health problems caused by ultra-processed foods. In the research conducted on more than one crore people involved in 45 studies, scientists have been alerted about the side effects caused by it. Scientists said that due to ultra-processed food or drinks, people are seeing more cancer and mental illness, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, and gastro and metabolic health problems, which are also increasing the risk of premature death. Are.
Problems caused by this type of diet have been seen in people of almost all ages.
What are ultra-processed foods?
Before knowing the problems caused by ultra-processed foods, it is important to know which types of foods are kept in the category of ultra-processed.
Ultra-processed foods are industrially prepared foods that are obtained from natural food but some types of preservatives, chemicals, and colors are used to enhance their shelf life and taste. The amount of added sugar and sodium in these food items can also be high, which causes harm to health in many ways.
The risk of mental diseases is increasing
In a study conducted to find out how ultra-processed foods harm health, researchers reported that excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods was found to be directly related to asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, and some cancers. Is.
The study's lead author, Melissa Lane, a researcher at the Food and Mood Center at Deakin University in Australia, says the study found evidence that ultra-processed foods are directly increasing mental disorders. The problem of anxiety and stress has been seen 53 percent more in people who consume such things in excess.
Risk of Chronic Diseases from Ultra-Processed Foods
Researchers say that, along with mental health problems, people who eat ultra-processed foods are also seen to have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Studies show that people who consume more ultra-processed foods have a 20 percent higher risk of premature death due to heart disease and diabetes compared to other people.
What do researchers say?
In the conclusion of the study, the authors said that how the habit of eating packaged and quick-prepared foods is increasing among children and youth is a serious problem. The increasing problem of obesity at an early age is considered to be a factor in many chronic diseases. Even in earlier studies, alerts have been raised about the increasing habits of eating processed foods among Indians.
Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation and ICICI Securities recently released a report related to this and said that Indian people like to eat more outside the home, hence the habit of processed junk foods is also increasing which has many side effects.
(PC: ISTOCK)
