When you really ‘can’t eat just one’ — the shocking truth behind addiction to ultra-processed foods

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By Chetana Belagere

19/10/2023

Prof Gearhardt, of the University of Michigan and the lead author of the study, has been at the forefront of defining food addiction.

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An extensive analysis of studies spanning 36 countries discovered that 14 percent of adults and 12 percent of children are showing signs consistent with this type of addiction.

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UPFs are industrially-made foods containing ingredients that we typically don’t use in our homes. These foods artificially contain different combinations of fats and carbohydrates.

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“Researchers found that UPFs, mainly those rich in refined carbs and added fats, stimulate our brains in ways that make them nearly irresistible,” the analysis in The BMJ states.

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As a result, UPFs have now surpassed tobacco as the primary cause of premature death, emphasising the urgent need for a shift in our eating habits.

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Authors in The BMJ analysis suggest that broad-based policy measures, including imposing taxes and introducing warning labels on UPFs, can help, and Indian doctors agree with this.

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