Avoiding ultraprocessed foods is good for your health, Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Foods that can’t be found in nature and have undergone extensive processing are known as ‘ultraprocessed,’ with a new study fingering them as associated with adverse health outcomes. Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson at Johns Hopkins says the message is clear.

Nelson: Ultraprocessed foods should be avoided, and most of that’s for cardiovascular disease risk. These are the first steps toward returning information to consumers, that they may be able to use to make healthier choices in their life.  :11

While this study found most of the impact of ultraprocessed foods was relative to cardiovascular disease, Nelson says a cancer association is seen.

Nelson: Dietary habits are correlated with cancer risk. One of the things that’s not captured in any of this are cooking practices. When you cook it is to change chemicals. Yes, I think that clearly what you eat will have a difference to what your health is and your cancer risk.  :17

At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.