What are the ultra-processed foods we eat and why does it matter to our health?
CBC
Almost half of what Canadians eat are ultra-processed foods that harm health and are under scrutiny.
This week, medical researchers pointed to ultra-processed foods as a potential culprit behind the rising rates of colorectal cancer in young adults. Previous studies tied eating more of these foods to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
At the same time, ultra-processed foods have increased in our diets.
"We do think that there might be a role that ultra-processed food plays in really making the gut less healthy than it could be," said Dr. Andrew Chan, the study's senior study author and a gastroenterologist at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Boston.
Eating a lot of ultra-processed food and drink products, say from eating out, along with few unprocessed or minimally processed foods — like prewashed and peeled veggies and dried or canned legumes (beans, peas and lentils) with no added salt — also makes a difference, say registered dietitians who study the health of the Canadian population.
As the name suggests, the foods are highly processed. Think mass-produced bread; many breakfast cereals with added sugar; instant soup; frozen dinners; and processed meat like hot dogs and cold cuts full of salt, preservatives and additives.
Sauces, spreads and condiments, and sugary or artificially sweetened beverages also make the list used in the latest cancer study.
Snacks, both packaged savoury and sweet varieties, as well as desserts are also included.
Ultra-processed foods are made mostly from fats, starches, added sugars and hydrogenated fats extracted from foods.
Foods in this category can also be full of preservatives, making them shelf-stable in the grocery store and pantry.
They don't contain a lot of fibre, and often have artificial sweeteners, said Dr. Shady Ashamalla, a surgical oncologist at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre who treats colon and rectal cancers.
Protein isolates or glucose/fructose syrup are other common types of ingredients.
Ultra-processed foods may also contain additives like artificial colours and flavours or stabilizers.
There are a few ways to group foods.
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