Health Threats Of Processed Foods

The global food landscape has undergone significant changes in recent times. Fast food, packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and ready-to-eat meals have increasingly replaced traditional diets that are rich in whole grains, fibres, vegetables, and fruits. Although convenient and mostly less expensive, these highly processed foods have become a public health concern. The rampant use of processed foods has been linked to increasing rates of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. 

The growing trends of the consumption of processed foods have turned into a public health crisis that needs to be addressed urgently. It is to be noted that not all food processing is harmful. The form of processing that preserves nutrients and improves shelf-life, such as freezing vegetables, pasteurizing milk, or fermenting yogurt, is often necessary. We should be concerned about highly processed foods that are often manufactured on an industrial scale by adding additives, artificial flavours, preservatives, refined sugars, saturated and trans fats, and excessive salt. Examples of highly processed foods include instant noodles, sugary breakfast cereals, soft drinks, packaged chips, processed meats, and burgers. These foods have minimal nutritional value but high calories and are prepared to be highly palatable, affordable, and mostly convenient. 

Obesity

The rising trend of the consumption of processed food has significantly increased obesity. The rise in the consumption of these processed foods, combined with sedentary lifestyles, has dramatically increased obesity throughout the world. The World Health Organisation estimates that global obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. The most affected population is children and adolescents. 

It has already been proven that the major cause of type 2 diabetes is excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks. The sudden spikes in blood sugar cause an increase in insulin secretion, hence straining our metabolic system. Over time, continuous stimulation leads to insulin resistance. As processed food has become more affordable and accessible, diabetes has become widespread in low and middle-income countries. 

It is a well-established fact that trans fats, saturated fats, and sodium contribute to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart disease. Since cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and ultra-processed diets are a major contributor. The growing body of evidence suggests that ultra-processed foods are linked to certain cancers, including colorectal and breast cancer. The influence of diet on health is obvious, but is not limited to physical health. The consumption of ultra-processed food has been linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Highly processed foods that lack nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids affect brain function. At the same time, blood sugar spikes may exacerbate mood swings and fatigue. 

The growing trend of fast-food consumption has severe consequences for growing children. Aggressive marketing targeted to young children has a lifelong impact on shaping their taste preferences. The habit of consuming fast food early in life increases the risk of obesity and diabetes and creates a vicious cycle of poor health habits. The impact of the trend is not limited to individual health but creates a burden on the nation. The escalating cost of treatment of these non-communicable diseases places a significant burden on the already overstretched healthcare system in developing economies. These unhealthy food habits reduce workforce productivity and have negative effects on a country’s economy in the long run. 

A multi-pronged approach involving governments, communities, and individuals is required to fight against the negative effects of highly processed foods. The most important thing is to make consumers aware of the risks associated with highly processed foods. A large-scale public health campaign should be initiated, highlighting the benefits of balanced and healthy diets and the dangers of excessive intake of salt, sugar, and fat. In order to shape healthy habits among growing children, school-based nutrition-focused health education programs can have a positive impact. 

The government has a critical role to play through policies by increasing taxes on highly processed foods and sugary drinks, making food labelling mandatory to help consumers make informed choices, and banning advertisements of unhealthy foods, especially those targeting children, and, if feasible, subsidising fresh fruits and vegetables to make them more affordable. Industry must be held responsible for promoting healthier food products. They should be encouraged to reduce salt, sugar, and trans fats in their products. 

Local initiatives

There has been a growing trend of local initiatives, such as farmers’ markets, markets of organic products in Nepal. This endeavour is expected to reconnect people with fresh and minimally processed foods. At last, it is the individual’s responsibility to choose healthy food habits. It is important to acknowledge that simple steps such as cooking meals at home, reducing intake of sugary drinks, and eating whole foods will have profound impacts on both physical and mental health. 

The global rise of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions is associated with ultra-processed diets. Therefore, all stakeholders from governments, communities, to individuals should take collective action to tackle the burden of non-communicable diseases. It may not be possible to eliminate processed foods from consumption, but we can shift our focus toward natural, whole, and minimally processed diets. For this to happen, the government should formulate appropriate policies, industries must be encouraged to produce healthier foods, and consumers must be empowered to make healthier choices. Collectively, we can address the growing problem due to highly processed foods. 

(Dr. Lohani is the clinical director at the Nepal Drug and Poison Information Centre.lohanis@gmail.com)