Professor Carlos Augusto Monteiro emphasizes that the overwhelming evidence of the health hazards posed by ultra-processed foods demands immediate government intervention to prevent rising chronic diseases. He stresses that delaying action, even by a decade, could lead to a tragic healthcare crisis with significant costs, advocating for strong policies to manage and reduce Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) consumption globally.
Monteiro points out that ultra-processed foods are those manufactured at an industrial scale, utilizing artificial flavors, emulsifiers, and colorings. They often include products like soft drinks and packaged snacks that are not only exceedingly palatable and high in calories but also generally low in essential nutrients, which poses significant health risks to consumers.
He challenges the perception that moderate consumption of ultra-processed foods can be balanced by healthy foods, warning that one cannot assume that healthy eating elsewhere in the day can offset the impact of consuming sugary drinks like Coke. This perspective underscores the intricate relationship between food processing levels and overall dietary health.
Monteiro acknowledges the criticism that the ultra-processed food category is poorly defined and recognizes the regulatory challenges posed by foods that exist in a gray area between processed and ultra-processed. However, he remains firm in the belief that UPF consumption substantially contributes to obesity and major diseases like cancer and diabetes.
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