The surge in the consumption of ultra-processed foods worldwide is being flagged as a significant public health threat by experts in a recent series of studies published in The Lancet. These papers point to a link between diets rich in ultra-processed foods and a host of chronic health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and higher overall mortality rates.
Ultra-processed foods are those that often contain additives such as preservatives, sweeteners, and artificial colors. Common examples include sugar-sweetened beverages, packaged snacks, instant soups, breakfast cereals, energy bars, ready-to-eat meals, and pizza.
In light of these findings, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton has investigated the implications of ultra-processed food consumption for American health in a special segment titled “Gut Check: The Foods We Eat.” This segment is set to air on ABC News Live Prime, highlighting Sutton’s personal exploration at a high-tech lab at Virginia Tech, where he detailed a study examining his blood work before and after consuming ultra-processed foods. This investigation also covers a comparison of ingredient lists of popular products sold in American grocery stores versus those found in France, a country known for its more stringent regulations on food additives.
The segment will also feature insights from the world’s largest food and science expo in Chicago, where ingredient makers are showcasing innovations to food companies. This comes during a pivotal time as discussions continue around the need for food companies to reduce harmful additives, such as synthetic dyes, from their products, as advocated by the Trump administration.
Moreover, the urgency around the consumption of these foods coincides with the growth of the Make America Health Again (MAHA) movement, led by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A recent Washington Post-KFF poll indicates that nearly 40% of parents identify as supporters of this movement, with higher support levels among Republicans and white parents. Notably, regardless of their stance on the MAHA movement, a vast majority of parents advocate for stricter government regulations surrounding food dyes, chemical additives, and ultra-processed foods.
The authors of The Lancet studies assert that addressing diet-related health issues requires comprehensive policy reforms focused on the production, marketing, and consumption of ultra-processed foods, as well as enhancing access to healthier food options. They emphasize that Americans currently derive over half of their daily caloric intake from ultra-processed foods, according to CDC data, which calls for a significant shift towards more nutritious food sources, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. The CDC further notes that many Americans could benefit from an increase in dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium intake.
As awareness of the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods grows, there is hope that concerted efforts from both the public and policymakers will lead to healthier dietary habits and improved public health outcomes in the future.