Ultra-processed food is being blamed for everything from obesity to heart disease. But is it really that simple?
In this episode, we break down what “ultra-processed food” actually means, where the term comes from, and what the scientific evidence really says. We discuss the NOVA classification system, the research linking ultra-processed food to chronic disease, and the well-known randomized controlled trial led by Kevin Hall at the National Institutes of Health, amongst other newer research papers.
But we also explore the nuance.
- Are all ultra-processed foods equally harmful?
- Is processing itself the problem — or are other factors at play?
- And could “ultra-processed” be an oversimplified label for a much more complicated issue?
We talk about:
- What counts as ultra-processed food (and what surprises people)
- The strongest evidence linking UPFs to weight gain and disease
- The limitations of observational nutrition research
- Whether bread deserves the same label as soda
If you’re confused by the headlines or tired of nutrition being reduced to good vs bad, this episode is for you.
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