As we see more ultra-processed foods in diets across the globe, it is important we are aware of the effects they can have on our health. Here’s how they impact our bodies and our immune systems. In our fast-paced world, convenience can often come at the cost of nutrition.
This shift has led to an increased reliance on ultra-processed foods. But diets high in ultra-processed foods are increasingly being linked to numerous health issues - including obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The poor nutritional profile of ultra-processed foods, which often lack essential nutrients and fibre, plays a significant role in these health risks.
There’s also growing evidence ultra-processed foods may affect how our immune system works. This may explain why some studies have linked ultra-processed foods with i nflammatory bowel disease and potentially autoimmune diseases. Ultra-processed foods (such as packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant noodles and ready-to-eat meals) often contain emulsifiers, microparticles (such as titanium dioxide), thickeners, stabilisers, flavours and colourants.
While research on humans is limited, studies on mice have shown that these ingredients alter the gut microbiome (the community of microorganisms living in the intestines) in several ways. These many microbiome changes can in turn affect the way the immune system functions. The microbiome and the immune system Studies on mice have shown exposure to low concentrations of emulsifiers .
