The news that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of dementia is likely to be a worrying one in the UK , given the amount of these products consumed in the average UK diet.
A study from 2018 suggested that more than 50% of the calories consumed by people in the UK could be classed as “ultra-processed”, with foods such as sugary cereals, fizzy drinks, ice cream and sausage being examples of the culprits. However, factory produced products such as cheese and bacon do not count as ultra-processed, with the definition often coming down to how many additives are included in making the products.
It should be noted that the study concluded that a higher consumption of ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of dementia, but researchers couldn’t confirm that this was the sole cause.
Read more: Dementia risk linked to 'eating certain foods such as cookies, crisps and sausages'
What foods count as ‘ultra-processed’?
As mentioned above, ultra-processed foods are generally those that include a long list of ingredients that you may not recognise and most likely wouldn’t add to food yourself if you were cooking. The most commonly consumed ultra-processed foods in the UK include:
Factory produced bread (11%)
Pre-packaged meals (7.7%)
Breakfast cereals (4.4%)
Sausages and other reconstituted meat products (3.8%)
Confectionery (3.5%),
Biscuits (3.5%),
Cakes, pasties and buns (3.3%)
Industrial chips (2.8%).
Soft drinks, fruit drinks and fruit juices (2.5%)
Salty snacks, including Britain’s favourite crisps (2%)
Sauces, dressings and gravy (2.1%).
What foods count as processed or minimally processed?
Some foods that count as processed may sound more unhealthy than those on the above list, but the simplicity of how they’re created mean they’re classed in this category. Some examples of simply processed foods include: smoked and cured meats, cheeses, fresh bread, bacon, salted or sugared nuts, tinned fruit in syrup, beer and wine.
Foods that count as minimally processed may have simply been dried or frozen to extend their life, but haven’t had anything added – and includes: frozen fruits and vegetables, frozen fish, pasteurised milk, 100% fruit juice, no-added-sugar yoghurt, spices and dried herbs.
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