According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ultra-processed foods (UPF) make up a significant portion of daily diets, accounting for an average of 53% of the calories consumed by adults between 2021 and 2023. Among those aged 18 and under, the figure was even higher, reaching 61.9%, highlighting how widespread these products have become across all age groups.
Concerns about the long-term health impact of heavily manufactured foods have been echoed by Dr. Chris van Tulleken, a BBC physician who has frequently spoken about the risks associated with ultra-processed diets.
“Poor diet, which means a diet high [with] UPF, has overtaken tobacco as a leading cause of early death on planet Earth for humans, for the animals we farm and for wild animals,” the doctor said on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett.
‘As addictive as tobacco’
Van Tulleken also pointed to growing concerns that UPF may be difficult for many people to quit.
“We do have to politically treat the companies like the tobacco companies now. At the moment, for many people trying to quit UPFs, [it] will be like trying to quit smoking in the 1960s,” added the author of “Ultra-Processed People: Why We Can’t Stop Eating Food That Isn’t Food.”
“Processed food isn’t just harmful, it is addictive and it makes all the criteria for addiction. And it has there’s so much evidence that for some people these products are as addictive as tobacco products drugs of abuse, alcohol, gambling,” he said.
UPF and health concerns
Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made largely from refined substances such as oils, sugars, starches and proteins, often combined with additives to enhance flavor, texture and shelf life. Because they rely on modified ingredients rarely used in home cooking, these products typically contain long and complex ingredient lists, prompting growing scientific interest in how their composition may affect long-term health outcomes.
A 2024 review published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) analyzed 45 studies involving nearly 10 million participants to better understand how ultra-processed foods may affect health. The findings suggest that higher consumption of UPFs is associated with an increased risk of death from any cause and linked to 32 health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mental health disorders and other serious illnesses.
A closer look at everyday grocery items shows just how common ultra-processed foods have become.
Store-bought bread
Mass-produced bread may appear wholesome, particularly when labelled wholemeal or brown, but long ingredient lists often reveal preservatives and additives used to extend shelf life and maintain texture.
Research from the National Library of Medicine suggests bread contributes around 11% of daily calorie intake, meaning small changes in choice could significantly reduce overall exposure to ultra-processed ingredients. Choosing bakery-made bread or products with minimal ingredients may help reduce reliance on additives.
Energy drinks
Often marketed as performance boosters, energy drinks typically contain high levels of sugar and caffeine. The FDA states that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is generally considered safe for adults, but regular consumption may still affect heart health.
reports that energy drinks can contribute to irregular heart rhythm, increased heart rate and raised blood pressure, all of which are linked to heart disease risk.
