Why are people getting sick? For decades, researchers have suggested that this is due to the processed and synthetic foods we are eating. In his book “Ultra-Processed People,” Chris Van Tulleken shares his discoveries which support this idea–industrialized food processing and additive chemicals are possibly harming us more than we realize. In our Ultra-Processed People review, we’ll cover these key points:
- Summary of Key Ideas in Ultra-Processed People
- Ultra-Processed People Book Review
- Who Should Read Ultra-Processed People?
- Other Recommended Sources
- About The Author
- Ultra-Processed People Quotes
Let’s dive right in!
Summary of Key Ideas in Ultra-Processed People
It’s a sound idea to make food tastier and more convenient, but food companies often bypass safety to achieve this goal.
Thankfully, authorities have taken steps to address this. There have been some big changes, like banning harmful chemicals and hundreds of food additives that once contaminated our food.
Still, there’s a lot more to be done. Van Tulleken points out that the chemicals in the ultra-processed foods we eat today can still be really harmful to our health in the long run.
In his book, he shares the health problems he dealt with after taking part in an experiment where he initially ate only healthy foods and then ate nothing but ultra-processed foods for a month. His story matches up with what many scientists are saying about the risks of eating these kinds of foods.
Let’s look at what Ultra-Processed Foods are all about and why are people getting sick as a result of them.
What Are Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)?
Traditional food, often referred to as healthy foods or unprocessed foods, comprises three main categories of molecules: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. These molecules contribute to the taste, texture, and calorie content of food.
But for the past 150 years, humans have been making use of industrially formulated food processing that was not present in our evolutionary history. This includes creating new molecules made from the cheapest commodity ingredients to mimic the textures of carbs, proteins, and fats. Furthermore, this process involves adding a selection from hundreds of food additives to prolong food shelf-life. Due to this, processed food ingredients have a low nutritional value.
UPFs have also been linked to negative health outcomes in the human body. Unfortunately, ultra processed foods make up 60% of the average diet in the US and the UK. Consuming such unhealthy food on a regular basis brings several health risks.
Health Impacts of Ultra-Processed Foods
Van Tulleken worries about how ultra-processed foods are made, not just about their nutritional content.
UPFs undergo significant processing; including breaking down and chemically altering whole foods, and adding various substances.
Their content disrupts normal bodily processes. For example, van Tulleken experienced hormone issues, which made him crave more food. He ate even more, resulting in higher cholesterol levels, inflammation, and a health decline. For most people, overconsumption of cheap ultra-processed food can lead to health issues and diet-related disease like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.
Furthermore, ultra-processed foods play a big role in the global obesity epidemic. These foods are often enjoyable to eat and hard to resist, and they tend to be cheaper than healthy options—like a bag of crisps. This would explain why in his personal experiment, van Tulleken gained a lot of weight.
Psychological Impacts of Consuming UPFs
Tulleken’s personal experiments showed that after eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs), there were noticeable changes in how his brain connected things related to food cravings and rewards. This suggests that these foods affect the brain’s dopamine pathways.
Essentially, the addictive nature of UPFs can throw off our normal reward system, which might lead to issues like stronger cravings, trouble controlling our eating, or even mental health issues.
How UPFs Are Designed to be Addictive?
Think of all the snacks available in the junk food aisle, such as biscuits, ice cream, and fizzy drinks. Whenever we walk through these aisles, we often don’t intend to buy much, but we may end up leaving the grocery store with various options. Not only do these snacks look appealing, but they are also designed to be hyper-palatable. The industrial processing methods they undergo, like molding and extrusion, give ultra-processed foods (UPFs) their appealing shape and consistency. Additionally, the additives used in these often affordable foods make them incredibly hard to resist.
The food industry intentionally creates cheap foods that maximize cravings and, in turn, boost profits.
Environmental and Ethical Concerns
Ultra-processed foods not only pose health concerns for our bodies, but they also have a significant impact on the environment. The need for processed food ingredients leads to large-scale clearing of land, especially in rainforests. Monocrops like soy and corn are often grown for factory-farmed animals or for use in food additives, rather than for human consumption.
This land clearing to produce cheap foods causes environmental destruction, deforestation, reduces biodiversity, and increases the global carbon footprint.
Choosing Real, Whole Foods
Van Tulleken does not tell us what specific food diet to follow or how to live our lives, but he gives us useful information on what chemical ingredients are in UPFs to help us make better choices about our food.
He urges us to pay more attention to food labels, especially to identify ingredients and understand how much processing the food has undergone.
The book explores the health concerns that people who eat UPFs often experience. He highlights the benefits of eating less ultra-processed food and reconnecting with whole, minimally processed options. Van Tulleken informs us of unethical practices that a food company might use. He encourages consumers to think critically about the food industry giants that prioritize profits over health and to demand more transparency and accountability from them.
Overall, he shows that having a real, whole-food diet is much better than eating ultra-processed foods which often results in long-term effects on our health.
Ultra-Processed People Book Review
Understanding ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can often be confusing. Thankfully, Chris van Tulleken’s book makes the information about food processing clear and accessible. He achieves this by combining personal anecdotes from his experiences with processed food, along with rigorous scientific analysis and interviews with experts.
The writing is witty and does not directly instruct readers on what to do; however, those with a background in food research or anyone aiming to improve their health will sense the urgency he conveys about how UPFs undermine the true meaning of food. Some people might think the book drags on a bit and could use some cuts. But even with that, it still does a great job helping readers figure out the best food choices for their health.
Who Should Read Ultra-Processed People?
Ultra-Processed People is a must-read book for anyone curious about how our modern diets affect our health, society, and the planet. This book is perfect for health-conscious folks, parents worried about their family’s eating habits, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and anyone diving into food studies. You can purchase the book here.
Other Recommended Sources
Want to learn more about nutritional science, cardiovascular disease, and how live longer and healthier? Check out these additional resources:
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II dives into how our diet affects chronic health issues. It highlights the perks of eating whole-foods, plant-based diets and shows how what we eat connects to our long-term health. This informative book pairs well with Ultra-Processed People by expanding on how our food choices really matter for our health.
Lifespan: Why We Age, and Why We Don’t Have To by David Sinclair focuses on aging but also links to how our diet and lifestyle impact our health. Dr. Sinclair talks about cellular aging and how lifestyle changes can help us live healthier for longer. This informative book complements the ideas in Ultra-Processed People by showing how making better food choices, like steering clear of ultra-processed foods, can boost our longevity and overall well-being.
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. presents a strong, nutrition-based method to fight heart disease. It lays out practical advice on cutting processed foods and sticking to whole, plant-based nutrition. This must-read book backs up a lot of the health messages in Ultra-Processed People and stresses how real food can help prevent chronic diseases.
About the Author
Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn’t Food was written by Dr. Chris van Tulleken. He is an infectious disease doctor and researcher in the UK known for his work in public health. He has a medical degree and a PhD in molecular virology. He often challenges established ideas about diet and food systems enforced by food industry giants – encouraging people and organizations to rethink how they view processed foods. He features in several TV shows, including Horizon: Fat V Sugar, Horizon: Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad for You? and Operation Ouch for CBBC, a series that teaches children about the human body.
This book was also published under the title: Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food… and Why Can’t We Stop?
Ultra-Processed People Quotes
“It’s not food. It’s an industrially produced edible substance.”
“Our bodies are not designed to handle the onslaught of ultra-processed foods.”
“Eating real, whole foods is the key to good health and longevity.”
“Ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive, leading to overconsumption.”
“We must take back control of our diets and prioritize whole, nourishing foods.”
“Another existential threat to human life caused by UPF but not mentioned on the packaging is antibiotic resistance.”
