One in six adults say they are addicted to ultra-processed food, while experts warn millions of Brits are exposing themselves to serious health problems
New research shows that one in six British adults are addicted to ultra-processed foods.
Eating a lot of convenience foods, sugary cereals or mass-produced bread has been linked to health problems such as heart disease and certain cancers.
These ultra-processed products – which normally do not contain ingredients found in a normal home kitchen – often lack essential nutrients, while typically containing high levels of added sugars, fats and salt, additives and other chemicals.
However, most adults say they regularly consume foods they consider ultra-processed.
Nearly nine in ten report eating ultra-processed foods (UPF) at least once a week. A quarter said they eat UPFs every day.
One in six British adults say they are addicted to ultra-processed food, new research shows (stock image)
These ultra-processed products – which normally do not contain ingredients found in a normal home kitchen – often lack essential nutrients, while typically containing high levels of added sugars, fats and salt, additives and other chemicals (stock image)
Experts said the poll showed millions of people were at risk of serious health problems (stock image)
The Nova system, developed by scientists in Brazil more than a decade ago, divides food into four groups based on the amount of processing it has undergone. Unprocessed foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs and meat. Processed culinary ingredients – which are not usually eaten alone – include oils, butter, sugar and salt
Worryingly, 17 percent considered themselves addicted. The findings come from a survey of 5,000 adults conducted by healthy eating platform Lifesum, which also found a third ate UPFs when stressed. Another third enjoyed the convenience.
Experts said the poll showed millions of people were at risk of serious health problems.
Earlier this year, the world’s largest study on UPFs found that they increase the risk of damage to every part of the body when consumed in large quantities.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that diets rich in UPF products increase the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 50 percent.
People who regularly used UPFs were also more likely to be overweight, have lung disease and sleep problems.
UPFs are also often made to be soft and easy to eat, which means they are more likely to be consumed in larger quantities.
The poll also found that most adults said eating UPFs negatively affected their mood and lowered energy levels.
‘UPFs are packed with the things people crave: fat, sugar and salt,’ says Dr Duane Mellor of Aston University, Birmingham. ‘But most contain unhealthy high concentrations. People can easily get into a pattern of seeking out these types of meals.”