Impact of ultra processed food on eating behaviour and food cravings
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The development of the NOVA classification, which groups foods according to the degree of industrial processing rather than conventional nutrient density, was prompted by the rise in metabolic health problems worldwide, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Modern diets, especially in developed countries, are dominated by ultra-processed foods, which are industrially created formulas characterized by high quantities of additives and low whole food content. The purpose of this review is to examine how UPF consumption affects human eating habits, cardiometabolic health, and social eating patterns, with a particular emphasis on the role that "food literacy" plays in reducing these consequences. Results show that UPFs are designed to be extremely tasty by using high concentrations of fats, sugars, salts, and chemical enhancers that can override the body's natural satiety signals. Beyond their low nutritional profiles, which frequently lack protein and fiber, UPFs have deteriorated food matrices that promote overconsumption and enhance caloric bioaccessibility. High UPF intake is continuously associated with a considerable increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, many types of cancer, and all-cause death, according to epidemiological research. When ready-to-eat items are consumed in isolation, UPFs lead to "mindless eating."
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225210915
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