Khaberni - A recent study published in 2026 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals worrying facts about ultra-processed foods, showing that each additional serving consumed daily increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 5%.
Experts warn of a direct correlation between the amount of consumption and the increased likelihood of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Ultra-processed foods are known as industrial products containing ingredients rarely found in a home kitchen, such as: frozen pizza, flavored yogurts, and sugary breakfast cereals.
Researchers indicate that food processing falls into varying levels, starting from unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and milk, to processed foods such as canned legumes, and ending with ultra-processed products that undergo complex manufacturing processes.
What is the safe limit?
Although science has not yet determined a completely "safe limit" for consuming these foods, medical recommendations emphasize the importance of focusing on food quality rather than total deprivation.
Experts advise making whole foods such as fruits and nuts the basis of daily meals, with particular caution against some of the more harmful categories, such as processed meats like sausages and sugary drinks, which have the strongest evidence of their negative health effects.
In the end, the goal remains to make a real change in the dietary pattern; as replacing just one or two servings of ultra-processed products with whole foods daily can significantly reduce the risks of chronic diseases, while maintaining dietary flexibility that balances between health and enjoying food.
