A pharmacist has warned that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) could be contributing to up to one in three cases of heart disease and heart-disease deaths, urging people to consider small dietary swaps.
Raj Patel, known as Pharmacist Health Raj on social media, said that people who get a large proportion of their daily calories from UPFs could be putting their health at risk. He cited a recent study drawing a link between UPFs, heart disease, and heart disease-related deaths, though he did not name the specific study.
Concerns over blood pressure and blood sugar
Patel said these foods may affect more than just weight, potentially impacting blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammation, and feelings of hunger. He noted that more than half of what many people eat comes from ultra-processed foods.
Data suggests that more than 60 per cent of the average Brit's daily calorie intake comes from UPFs. These foods often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt, and sugar, and can displace nutritionally beneficial whole foods.
What counts as ultra-processed?
The British Heart Foundation explains that the term 'ultra-processed foods' comes from the NOVA food classification system, developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The system places foods into four categories based on how much they are processed.
Ultra-processed foods typically have more than one ingredient that you never or rarely find in a kitchen, and include additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. Examples include ham, mass-produced sausages, bread, breakfast cereals, instant soups, crisps, biscuits, ice cream, fruit-flavoured yogurts, and carbonated drinks.
Mixed health impact
The NHS says diets high in ultra-processed foods have been linked to an increased risk of conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, though it is not known if the risk comes from the processing itself or from the calories, fat, salt, and sugar they contain.
The NHS adds that some UPFs, like sliced wholemeal bread, baked beans, and wholegrain breakfast cereals, can still be good for us. It advises eating less ultra-processed foods high in saturated fat, salt, or sugar, and recommends a diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and wholegrain or higher fibre starchy carbohydrates.
