Why do we overindulge in chips, cereals, cakes, puddings, and other highly processed foods, even when we know it is unhealthy?
Emerging research suggests that it might be caused by industrial procedures that “predigest” raw food ingredients, resulting in ultra-processed foods that evade the body’s fullness cues.
This means that we are consuming food that has already been partially digested!!
What is meant by ‘predigested food’?
So what exactly is meant by the term “predigested”?
Basic food crops like corn, wheat, and potatoes are broken down into their molecular components, or what manufacturers refer to as “slurries,” to produce inexpensive, tasty food that is packaged for ease of use.
Subsequently, those slurries are heated, mashed, molded, or extruded into any kind of food a manufacturer can produce with artificial colorings, flavorings, and glue-like emulsifiers.
How is predigested food linked to ultra-processed foods?
An almost irresistible ultra-processed food is created when the ideal amounts of sugar, salt, and fat are added to delight our taste buds.
Ultra-processed foods go through several industrial procedures, such as pre-digestion, which reduces proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates to simpler forms. The purpose of this process is to improve flavor, increase shelf life, and increase palatability.
However, pre-digestion disrupts our digestive system, causing nutrients to be absorbed more quickly and interfering with the body’s natural satiety signals. This leads to an overeating cycle where the body continually overrides its natural regulatory systems, which in turn leads to overeating.
The science of pre-digestion in ultra-processed foods exposes a deliberate manipulation of food structure for commercial purposes.
This disruption not only undermines the nutritional integrity of foods but also challenges the body’s natural ability to control intake, setting the stage for a host of adverse health outcomes.
Bypassing the Body’s Fullness Cues
Our body’s complex and sophisticated mechanism for regulating food intake is meant to regulate hunger and signal satiety through hormonal and neurological reactions.
On the other hand, ultra-processed foods disrupt this system by providing pre-digested foods that are very different from the complexity and natural structure of whole foods. The simplified molecular composition of these modified foods allows for rapid absorption, which raises blood glucose levels rapidly and creates a constant feeding cycle.
This causes us to overeat and challenges the body’s natural satiety signals. This whole disruption jeopardizes the body’s ability to maintain energy balance and nutritional sufficiency.
Over time, this discrepancy between the amount of food consumed and the body’s actual nutritional needs can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
The Irresistible Charm of Ultra-Processed Foods
Not only are ultra-processed foods convenient, but their appeal to the human palate has been scientifically calibrated, making them appealing.
These foods are created to achieve the “bliss point,” or the ideal ratio of fat, sweetness, and saltiness. This balance guarantees the greatest possible pleasure response and promotes continuous consumption in defiance of the body’s natural satisfaction cues.
These foods are formulated with textural tweaks and flavor enhancers to provide us with a satisfying taste and feel.
Let’s Cut Out Processed Foods Slowly
If we pay attention to how our bodies feel and respond to hunger cues, it can help reduce our reliance on ultra-processed foods.
We should make gradual changes rather than abrupt ones. If you’re used to a diet high in processed foods, change it slowly and gradually rather than trying to overhaul your diet all at once.
By being practical and mindful of what we are putting into our bodies, we can reduce our consumption of ultra-processed foods and focus on a diet rich in whole, minimally processed options. This approach supports better overall health and well-being.
