This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Monday, 17 October 2022
Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health
Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) are a class of food ingredients. They are generally low in protein and fibre, as well as being high in fat, salt and sugar. UPFs have also commonly undergone industrial processes such as extrusion, moulding and milling. It's estimated that circa 50% of current UK calorie intake, comes from UPFs. They may, however, be distinctly unhealthy options (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/16/ultra-processed-food-unhealthier-harder-to-avoid-than-you-thought). High UPF intake has already been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and strokes); high blood pressure (ditto); type 2 diabetes; dementia and colon cancer. Although a vegan or vegetarian diet beneficially reduces fat intake from meat, many newly-available plant-based foods are UPFs. Their availability makes becoming an unhealthy vegan or vegetarian more likely! Oat milk is a popular replacement for dairy but it may have downsides. Perhaps people need worry about more than just whether a food item is derived from animal, bacterial, fungal or plant material?
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The other very important focus in this article is recognition that each process in the production of an Ultra-Processed Food, releases carbon dioxide. This can mean that some vegan products will have a bigger carbon 'footprint' than some animal-based foods! It may cancel out the benefits in terms of global heating.
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