A British doctor has raised the alarm over one type of food he claims is more dangerous than smoking.
Ultra-processed food now deadlier than smoking
Dr. Chris van Tulleken says poor diet, driven by ultra-processed foods, has overtaken tobacco as the leading cause of early death globally — not only for humans, but also in terms of environmental harm.
What exactly is ultra-processed food?
UPFs are industrial products loaded with additives, sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and preservatives. They are far removed from anything you could make in a home kitchen.
Linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes
Van Tulleken points to a direct link between UPFs and the explosion of obesity and type 2 diabetes, using Latin America as an example of rapid health deterioration within a decade.
A massive environmental threat
UPFs aren’t just a health issue — they’re a major environmental offender. According to van Tulleken, their production is a leading driver of biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, and plastic pollution.
As addictive as drugs or alcohol
The doctor warns that UPFs can be just as addictive as substances like tobacco, alcohol, or even gambling — with clear evidence showing how they hijack the brain’s reward system.
Where the UPF definition came from
The term “ultra-processed food” was defined in Brazil in 2009–2010, when researchers began documenting the health impacts of the Western-style diet infiltrating previously low-obesity regions.
Not just a problem in poorer countries
Van Tulleken stresses that even in wealthier nations like the UK, low-income populations are especially vulnerable, consuming disproportionately high levels of UPFs.
Rapid health shifts
Entire communities have seen their health profiles change in just ten years — from rare obesity to common diabetes complications like amputations, largely due to dietary shifts.
Shame and blame won’t help
Telling people to simply eat better often backfires. Van Tulleken argues that guilt-tripping individuals only increases stress and can lead to even worse food choices.
No studies show any health benefits
Despite their popularity, not a single scientific study has linked UPF consumption with any health benefit. Instead, they’re consistently associated with higher risks of disease and premature death.
This article is based on information from The Mirror