Processed Foods: Why They Can Work Against Your Health
We believe every meal is a message to your body; either supporting healing or fueling dysfunction. Processed foods often fall into the latter category, especially for women over 40 whose metabolism, hormone balance, and inflammation responses are shifting. Here’s why making a move toward whole, nourishing foods could be one of the best decisions you make for your health. Processed foods have been well studied to have a strong link to cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, diabetes mellitus type two, and many other diseases that cause serious consequences, including death overtime.
What Counts as Processed?
- Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially altered products high in sugar, unhealthy fats, sodium, and additives, but low in nutrients and fiber. Think packaged snacks, sugary cereals, frozen meals, and soda. Certain types of cooking oils are specifically dangerous.
- These products tend to be hyper-palatable, engaging brain reward centers and promoting overeating even when you’re not hungry.
The Harmful Health Effects
- Weight Gain & Metabolic Drag
- Diets high in ultra-processed foods consistently lead to increased calorie intake and weight gain compared to minimally processed diets.
- UPFs often lack fiber and protein, key nutrients for satiety, causing frequent hunger and insulin spikes.
- Cardiovascular & Diabetes Risk
- Consuming UPFs increases risks for heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- A 2023 meta-analysis showed that each 10% rise in UPF consumption brings a 12% higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
- Inflammation & Gut Disruption
- Additives like emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, and fast-digesting starches in UPFs often disturb gut microbiota and fuel inflammation.
- High saturated fat meals can impair key anti-inflammatory gut compounds like IL-22, worsening inflammatory conditions.
- Increased Cancer Risk
- Higher UPF consumption correlates with elevated risks of cancers including colorectal, breast, esophageal, and pancreatic.
- Additives That Worsen Health
- Preservatives like nitrites in processed meats may turn into carcinogenic compounds.
- Other additives—such as maltodextrin, carrageenan, and sodium nitrite—are being linked to gut inflammation and dysbiosis.
Here’s how to turn things around:
- Prioritize whole foods: Think colorful produce, whole grains, legumes, clean proteins, healthy fats.
- Practice mindful label reading: If a product contains a long list of unrecognizable ingredients, it’s likely not worth your plate.
- Cook from scratch when you can: Home-cooked meals give you control—not just over kosher labels, but over how your body responds. Use oils such as olive oil or avocado oil for cooking.
- Balance with purpose: If you do enjoy processed foods occasionally, pair them with protein and fiber to help stabilize blood sugar and metabolism.
If you’re ready for a whole-body plan that works, schedule your FREE information session today or take our metabolic quiz for more insight!
References
- Ultra-processed foods linked to chronic illness and mental health (BMJ, 2024)
- Processed foods lead to weight gain—NIH study (2019)
- High glycemic load, inflammation, and insulin resistance from UPFs (Vitale et al., 2023)
- UPFs increase risk of heart disease and other conditions (NIH, 2025)
- 10% increase in UPF = 12% higher risk of type 2 diabetes (2023 meta-analysis)
- High UPF diets associated with multiple cancers (Wikipedia health effects)
- Balsamic cancer and inflammatory diet guidance (Yale Medicine)
- Additives like maltodextrin, nitrite, and carrageenan harming gut health (Verywell)
- Saturated fat’s impact on gut inflammation (Herald Sun, WEHI study)
- Health risks of chemical additives in food (The Guardian)
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, medication, or wellness program. NuBloom provides access to licensed medical professionals through individualized programs, but blog content does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Bloom wisely.