August 9th, 2024

Why, Are Ultraprocessed Foods So Hard to Resist?

A NIH study is investigating the health impacts of ultraprocessed foods on 36 participants, aiming to understand their appeal and effects on weight gain and health by late 2025.

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Why, Are Ultraprocessed Foods So Hard to Resist?

A recent study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is investigating the health impacts of ultraprocessed foods, which constitute a significant portion of the American diet. The trial involves 36 participants, including Ernest Jones III, who are monitored over a month while consuming meals designed to assess the effects of ultraprocessed versus unprocessed foods. Researchers aim to determine if ultraprocessed foods contribute to weight gain and various health issues, including heart disease and diabetes. Previous studies indicated that participants consuming ultraprocessed diets consumed about 500 more calories daily than those on unprocessed diets, leading to weight gain. The current study seeks to explore why ultraprocessed foods are so appealing, with hypotheses suggesting they may trigger the brain's reward system or contain high calorie density. The findings could inform nutrition policies and food manufacturing practices, potentially leading to healthier ultraprocessed options. The study is expected to conclude in late 2025, and its results may help clarify the relationship between ultraprocessed foods and health outcomes.

- The NIH study examines the health effects of ultraprocessed foods on participants.

- Previous research showed ultraprocessed diets lead to increased calorie consumption and weight gain.

- The study aims to understand the appeal of ultraprocessed foods and their health implications.

- Findings could influence nutrition policies and food manufacturing practices.

- The trial is set to conclude in late 2025, with significant implications for public health.

Link Icon 6 comments
By @tithe - 2 months
Because they're engineered to optimize the bliss point (that "just right amount of saltiness, sweetness, or richness")?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_point_(food)

By @karmakaze - 2 months
I tend to eat when out and there is little selection of healthy meals. Any chance I get I'll take the option that has lots of veggies like a large salad (that isn't a Caesar) or a main with a good portion of veggies. Self-serve food bars are pretty good. Don't know if it's my upbringing but I have no desire for simple-carbs/processed foods with the exception of bread & pasta.
By @paulpauper - 2 months
food is too calorie dense overall. peanuts despite being natural are super calorie dense and it's easy to get overweight by mindlessly snacking on them between meals. this was shown in the Minnesota starvation experiment in which the participants rapidly regained all the weight they had lost, and then 10 percent above starting weight, during the refeeding phase despite eating natural food (Ancel Keyes did not allow junk food). I can easily polish off many slices of natural bread for hundreds of calories. More research needs to go into making less calorie dense substitutes. the problem is this usually means making the portion size smaller or adding air or water, not the food less dense by changing the structure or adding filler.
By @illuminant - 2 months
Much of our tastes come from habits. Many more so are acquired from their convenience.

Changing habits and refactoring convenience in your favor is a powerful way to improve the human condition, avoiding dysfunctional apatites while you're at it.

Consumer, you are the problem.

By @rufus_foreman - 2 months
Why, is there a comma after "Why"?

Looks like the title was "Why, Exactly, Are Ultraprocessed Foods So Hard to Resist? This Study Is Trying to Find Out".