Ultra-Processed Foods

[Montelores]

Ultra-processed food linked to early death

By James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent, BBC News
30 May 2019

Ultra-processed foods - such as chicken nuggets, ice cream and breakfast cereals - have been linked to early death and poor health, scientists say.

Researchers in France and Spain say the amount of such food being eaten has soared.

Their studies are not definite proof of harm but do come hot on the heels of trials suggesting ultra-processed foods lead to overeating.

Experts expressed caution but called for further investigation.

What are ultra-processed foods?

The term comes from a way of classifying food by how much industrial processing it has been through.

The lowest category is "unprocessed or minimally processed foods", which include: • fruit • vegetables • milk • meat • legumes such as lentils • seeds • grains such as rice • eggs

"Processed foods" have been altered to make them last longer or taste better - generally using salt, oil, sugar or fermentation.

This category includes: • cheese • bacon • home-made bread • tinned fruit and vegetables • smoked fish • beer

Then come "ultra-processed foods", which have been through more substantial industrial processing and often have long ingredient lists on the packet, including added preservatives, sweeteners or colour enhancers.

If a product contains more than five ingredients, it is probably ultra-processed, says Prof Maira Bes-Rastrollo, of the University of Navarra, citing a maxim.

Examples include: • processed meat such as sausages and hamburgers • breakfast cereals or cereal bars • instant soups • sugary fizzy drinks • chicken nuggets • cake • chocolate • ice cream • mass-produced bread • many "ready to heat" meals such as pies and pizza | meal-replacement shakes...

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48446924

Monty

 

[blume357]

I really don't see how ice-cream and breakfast cereal is automatically put on the ultra list...

When I was growing up we made lots of ice-cream and I don't remember a lot of processing just a lot of cranking the handle...

As for breakfast cereal.... that really depends on what you buy.

 

[Colonialgirl]

If you get in the habit of reading the labels on foods, you'll be AMAZED how much SUGAR they are adding to stuff anymore.
I learned to pay attention to the "NUTRITION FACTS" labels when I started Dr Atkins Low Carb Diet Years Ago and I still read the labels. Almost everything is Over loaded with SUGAR or some "supposed" alternate.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I don't know about France and Spain but in this country I think the biggest problem is people don't want or don't know how to cook. They are always looking for the easy way out.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks! I do wonder though about the "fermented" foods being on the processed list. Homemade bread? I don't know if I would consider that processed. I suppose yoghurt and cottage cheese would also be on the list. Those are supposed to be healthy.

Yet, if you eat yoghurt with flavoring, then it's probably got a lot of sugar added. Colonialgirl is right. So many foods these days have so much extra sugar added.

I think the best law passed is the one where all the fast food joints have to have calorie information beside the item on a menu. Many times, I've walked out without ordering anything because I can't believe how much fat and calories restaurants put into their sandwiches.

 

[Dave P.]

Many times, I've walked out without ordering anything because I can't believe how much fat and calories restaurants put into their sandwiches.

And don't forget the sodium, holy crap!
Look at some of the "bigger" offerings from Arby's
as an example.
Dave

 

[Fox Mike]

I am in probably in trouble. Eggs, bacon or sausage, cereal w/sugar (one banana added), and lots of strong coffee just to kick start the day.

 

[Jeepnik]

He must be right. People only live into their 70’s or 80’s these days. As opposed to 20’s or 30’s back a very few hundred years ago when they ate all natural foods.

Had a conversation with a young lady who said it the world need to go back to all organic foods. And be forced to comply. I ask her which 2/3 of the population would be the ones to starve to death.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Family History:
Dad's side:
Great Aunt Alice: 102+
Uncle Floyd (Dad's brother) 101+ probably passed away thanks to 2nd wife feeding him organic/vegan stuff

Mom's Side:
Great Grandma: 100+
Mom 98+
Grandma and Grandpa BOTH approaching 90 after a hard life of farming
Great Uncle hit 90.

 

[sfhogman]

I'm full of homemade chili, bread and ale as I'm reading this...
The older I get, the more I enjoy cooking.

Jeff

 

[Pat-inCO]

The real question is . . . . what PERCENTAGE . . . . of your food is in the "ultra"
category? I'll bet there is not one of us that doesn't have one or more in the "ultra"
list as a regular item in what we eat. - - - - But HOW MUCH?!

Is there anyone that doesn't like bacon, or ice cream, or home made bread?
I have (had?) a buddy that would cover his breakfast cereal with sugar. I was more
than astounded, because I ate the same cereal with no added sugar (have not
talked with him in several years - - don't ask).

How many times do you go to Dominos (or others) for pizza? I do once or twice per
year. Is that a problem? I think not. Do I keep a freezer full of heat and eat pizza?
(delete your favorite expletive from here) no.

Gee . . . . it gets to the real measure, not IF you eat them, but how often and in
what quantities.

There is NOT a single thing (beyond water, and even then) that consumed in
inappropriate quantities, will not kill you.

It is called moderation. (GASP - - - - - - AGAIN)

 

[Montelores]

He must be right. People only live into their 70’s or 80’s these days. As opposed to 20’s or 30’s back a very few hundred years ago when they ate all natural foods...

Interesting observation.

However, there's much that we take for granted in our modern lives.

1) If they even HAD enough food...

With the vitamins (C, hugely) which we take so for granted...

2) Did they have the benefit of soap for washing and clean drinking water...(two of the most significant contributors to increased health and longer lives)

3) Were they killed by infections (almost mundane, by today's standards), which could have been treated with the simplest of antibiotics, had they existed medicinally...

https://www.verywellhealth.com/longevity-throughout-history-2224054

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On handwashing in the 20th century

Miryam Wahrman: “As we get to the mid-20th century, we begin to see that hand hygiene, in fact hygiene in general and the access to clean water, has changed the landscape in terms of human health very dramatically. And the average life expectancy from 100 years ago to today has increased from about the mid-40s, up to about 80 or more. And some of that has to do with public health and hygiene and even the simple act of having access to soap and water and the types of procedures that are done in hospitals using a septic technique now. Where now we don't have as high a risk of infection of our patients, going from patient to patient.

https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/05/11/brief-history-of-handwashing

Monty

P.S. A fun fact: Tea made from the bark of the Arbor Vitae (Latin: "tree of life") was known to contain vitamin C, which is essential for human health. Native Americans had known about its use, prior to the discovery and exploration of the continent by Europeans.

Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, was the first “New World” tree brought to the “Old World” by French explorer Jacques Cartier. In 1536 Cartier and his crew fell ill with scurvy during an expedition in Canada. Members of an Iroquois tribe offered them tea made from the “Annedda” tree. When Cartier recovered, he brought seeds of this “miracle” tree to France, where it was planted in the Kings medicinal gardens and named “l’arbre de vie”. In Latin, arbor (tree) and vitae (life) means “tree of life.” Interest in its medicinal value as a source of vitamin C played an important role in the resurrection of botany as a science. In 1542 French physician Jean Fernel coined the word “physiology” to help bridge medicine with botany. This inspired the naming of the white matter in the cerebellum of our brains to be “arbor vitae” because its resemblance to this tree.

https://treespiritwisdom.com/tree-spirit-wisdom/evergreen-trees-wands/arborvitae/

 

[Jeepnik]

As mentioned no single thing is responsible for longer life spans. But if we used only organic farming methods there simply will not be enough to go around.

Personally, I’d rather have a few health issues than starve to death.

 

[trebor44]

What category does frozen or canned vegetables belong to?

 

[Montelores]

What category does frozen or canned vegetables belong to?

That's a great question.

From above, "tinned vegetables" (canned): tinned fruit and vegetables are listed as "processed.

However, I have frozen vegetables which contain only those vegetables, no added salt or sugar, as the listed ingredients.

So maybe those would fall into the category of "unprocessed or minimally processed foods?"

Some canned beans seem to contain "lower sodium," so that would still constitute "processed."

I found a great article about this:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fresh-vs-frozen-fruit-and-vegetables#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5

Monty

P.S. For what it's worth, it seems to me that the absolute amount of specific vitamins and minerals might be less critical than the fact that someone is eating a varied diet, containing a mix of fruits and vegetables. Less processed is better, always, as well as lower glycemic index.

Please don't interpret this as medical advice!

If you're interested, here's an article on "phytonutrients," which identifies different fruits and vegetables as having certain nutrients based on the plant's color.

https://www.color-meanings.com/fruit-and-vegetable-colors-meaning-and-benefits/

 

[blume357]

I will point out something I learned a few years back about ice-cream....

A lot of these are no longer actually ice-cream. While visiting my parents I tried some older not very good 'ice-cream' my father and mother had bought and did not like it and so left the two scoops in the bowl in the sink... when I got up early the next morning it looked just like I had left it... the stuff did not melt. A lot of Briers is now this 'frozen desert treat' . look close.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Home made bread falls into the bad category because most folks use all purpose flour which has had all the nutrients processed out and chemicals put in.

 

[dougader]

What category does frozen or canned vegetables belong to?

That's the Not Starving To Death category.

 

[arfmel]

Hamburger meat doesn’t seem to meet his definition of ultra-processed. At least the hamburger meat I see for sale.

It’s ground beef.

Maybe they do something magic to it in Italy.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Remember " pink slime"?
Its ultra processed meat which is ground into a paste and then subjected to ammonia and flash frozen.
Its still being used but is now called, "finely textured meat".

 

[Jeepnik]

Well, if we end up going all organic, maybe we can keep some of the earth's population alive by recycling meat. Oh wait, some one already thought of Soylent Green.

 

[powder smoke]

What category does frozen or canned vegetables belong to?

I believe Canned and Frozen goods is not "Ulta-Proceesed"! Just preserved in a sterile environment.
The biggest draw back with that is sodium! We process Beans beets and corn at home, we are no
worse for the wear! Pickeled Beets we never have enough, I eat em like candy! ps

 

[Bull Barrel]

So you are the ones responsible for emptying the shelves of pickled beets!
I love em, too. I like to buy different brands and co.pare them.
I also like to put hard boiled eggs in the juice. After a couple days they are tasty!