27 Jun 2024 --- Amid ongoing scientific evidence linking ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to increased health risks, dietary guidelines frequently advise adding plant-based foods to a diet. However, a new study reveals that UPFs with mainly plant-based ingredients are not necessarily healthier, linking these to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and death. Instead, the researchers advise to consume “fresh and minimally processed options.” Nutrition Insight discusses the study’s findings and implications with its lead author, Fernanda Rauber, Ph.D. She is a researcher at the Centre for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and its department of preventive medicine.
