The third paper says that global corporations, not individual choices, are driving the rise of UPF. UPF is a leading cause of the "chronic disease pandemic" linked to diet, with food companies putting profit above all else, the authors said.
The main barrier to protecting health is "corporate political activities, coordinated transnationally through a global network of front groups, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and research partners, to counter opposition and block regulation".
Diets high in ultra-processed foods have been linked to disruptions in insulin signalling, chronic low-grade inflammation and alterations in the gut microbiome, all of which are mechanisms implicated in cancer development. What we eat affects how our cells grow, how our immune systems function and how our gut bacteria – which help regulate inflammation and immunity – behave. Emulsifiers, additives and artificial sweeteners commonly found in ultra-processed foods have been shown in animal studies to promote intestinal inflammation and tumour growth. Meanwhile, the lack of fibre and protective phytochemicals (health-promoting compounds found in plants) in these foods can alter the gut microbiome needed for the body to function optimally...
