The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine recently conducted an on-line poll, asking respondents their opinions about processed foods. The findings were published in JAMA [Journal of the American Medical Association] Network Open. Thirty nine percent indicated all processed foods are unhealthy. Asked to indicate which foods posed an increased risk of Type II diabetes, 51% said sugar, 19% listed desserts, and 7 % indicated carbohydrates. All of these answers are “inaccurate,” according to the Committee.
Many scholarly journal articles report “…processed meat consumption…is associated with diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, not plant-based processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, which are generally associated with reduced risk of these conditions, ” said lead author of the report, Dr. Neal Barnard.
The timing of this survey is fortuitous, coming after a new American Medical Association [AMA] public statement in support of educating the public about the differences between beneficial and risk-promoting ultra-processed foods.
Dr. Barnard commented, “Ultra-processed is an invented term with little meaning, and even less practical value.” He continued by explaining that certain ultra-processed foods promote ill health, while others actually reduce health risks. Clarity is needed to assist people in making the wisest choices when they purchase foods.
Dr. Barnard noted a Harvard University study reported animal-based processed products were associated with a 44% risk of Type II diabetes, while ultra-processed cereals were actually associated with a 22% reduced risk of that condition.
Interestingly, the Physician’s Committee pointed out that all animal products are processed. Their reasoning is as follows… farmers feed corn and grains to live stock. It is the animals’ bodies that convert the plant-based diet into meat, dairy, and eggs. They conclude, “So chicken breast, or pork chops are among the most heavily processed foods there are.” Hmm. Food for thought….
Dateline: Town of Colonie, Albany County, New York’s Capital Region