Ultra-processed foods include everything from candy and store-bought ice cream to cereal, fries, and canned soup, among popular snacks.
A new study suggests that the consumption of ultra-processed foods can not only increase a person’s chance of experiencing a stroke but it is also said to be responsible for cognitive decline.
While processed foods are foods changed from their natural states through the addition of ingredients like salt, sugar, or oil, ultra-processed foods are generally created from extracted substances, including fats, added sugars, and starches. Examples of this include everything from candy and store-bought ice cream to cereal, fries, and canned soup, among popular snacks.
When it comes to the risk they pose to humans, processed foods, despite being altered, aren’t necessarily dangerous to the health of humans. These include packaged bread, cheese, canned beans, tofu, and canned tuna. Foods like fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, nuts, whole grains, and eggs are considered unprocessed foods, which are whole foods that contain a minimal amount of added ingredients.
People who conducted the study and identified as Black were the most at risk among those who ate high amounts of ultra-processed foods and had a 15 percent increased risk of stroke during the research period.
Source: Black Enterprise
