Characteristics of Ultra Processed Food (UPF)
Ultra-processed foods accounted for more than half of all calories consumed in some developed countries (e.g. UK and USA) for decades, and other countries are catching up quickly. Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are now simply a part of everyday life. These foods are inexpensive, but very profitable. Based on its strong taste, it is consumed quickly and sold in supermarkets around the world.
They are generally weaker in micro-macronutrient composition than in low-process foods. They are high in calories and especially high in sodium, sugar, fat and saturated fatty acids.
Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are distinguished not only in their ingredients but also in their consumption. Because they are well advertised and ready to eat, they have a great advantage over foods belonging to other groups. Ultra-processed foods are enabling consumers to “eat regular, freshly prepared meals and dishes anytime, anywhere.”
To prevent cognitive decline, 'this food' should be avoided
A study has found that eating more than 20% of daily calorie intake from ultra-processed foods leads to cognitive decline in old age. Sao Paulo, Brazil announced at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2022 held in San Diego.
Subsequent studies have found that the groups most vulnerable to consumption of these foods are men, young people, people with busy schedules and people who spend a lot of time in front of the television. On the other hand, it turns out that the highly educated class consumes the least of these products.
What Happens When You Eat Super Processed Foods
"suffer from obesity"
Studies have shown that people who consume more highly processed 'ultra-processed foods' have a higher risk of death. Ultra-processed foods are mass-produced and ready-to-eat products such as snacks, sweet drinks, bread, candy, processed meat, and ramen.
What Happens When You Eat Fresh Food
"Maintain your weight without worrying about diet or exercise. The risk of death is reduced."
When you buy fresh ingredients and cook at home, your body naturally adjusts the amount of food you eat. After fasting for a short period of time while drinking juice, the amount of food accepted by the body decreases and the reason why the body becomes sensitive to the scent of food is because our body has an appropriate ratio of protein, carbohydrate, and fat like a biological clock like animals and insects. because you know
If you reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods such as soda, sweets, cakes, processed meat such as sausage, and ramen, your overweight body, elevated liver levels, and blood pressure will naturally be controlled.
Unfortunately, while reducing the use of these products is desirable, the goal of completely eliminating them from the diet is not realistic. In our fast-paced modern world, preparing meals at home is not always easy, and many households have come to rely on ready-made, ultra-processed foods. A product that is often also the cheapest option, especially for the poorest segments of the population. Inexpensive, comfortable, colorful and eye-catching, ultra-processed foods eventually become a staple of children's diets.
Therefore, to reverse this trend, it would be desirable to promote the use of whole, fresh and minimally processed foods, along with industry-wide efforts to produce healthier pre-prepared meals and ultra-processed products with nutritional properties.
NOVA System
The definition of Ultra Processed Food (UPF) was coined by Carlos Monteiro, Professor of Nutrition and Public Health at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Strangely, believing that the country's rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity are rising even as sugar purchases are declining, Monteiro and his colleagues analyzed how the population's diet has changed since the 1980s. It found that despite consumers consuming less sugar and dietary fat, their consumption increased significantly with high amounts of processed foods. The commonality of the foods consumed was that they were processed products with many variations.
Monteiro has developed a food classification system that is divided into four groups, called NOVA (names not abbreviations), according to the level of processing.
NOVA group 1 - Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, milk, etc.)
NOVA
Group 2 - Foods processed in the kitchen for the purpose of extending shelf life. In fact, these are ingredients used in the kitchen to store fats, spices (herbs, etc.) in jars or refrigerators for later use. Sugar, maple syrup, salt, olive oil, in Korea, starch syrup, soybean paste, jangjorim, etc.
NOVA
Group 3 - processed foods. Many household foods (breads, jams, etc.) composed of several ingredients by combining foods from groups 1 and 2.
NOVA
Group 4 - Ultra-processed (UPF) foods. Food additives that improve palatability (aspartame, etc.), processed raw materials (hydrogenated fat, modified starch, etc.), soybean protein or machine-separated meat, and other ingredients that are rarely used at home are used a lot. These foods are mainly industrial foods and are characterized by good texture and long shelf life.