What are Ultra-processed Foods Really?
According to the NOVA classification, a system that groups foods based on their level of processing, ultra-processed foods are all those that have undergone industrial techniques altering their natural form. These foods are high in salt, sugar, saturated fats, and use additives like preservatives, texturizers, flavorings, and sweeteners to enhance their characteristics and appearance.
The high sugar content in these foods feeds the millions of bacteria that form dental plaque or the dental biofilm, which grow and convert our favorite snacks into strong acids. These acids lower the pH, triggering a dental alarm when it drops below 5.5. Below this critical level, the acid begins to dissolve the minerals that harden our teeth, a process known as demineralization. With damaged enamel, cavities can develop freely.
Sticky Foods are More Damaging
It’s not just about the quantity of ultra-processed foods consumed, but also their frequency. Each time we eat these foods, the acid attack is activated. Moreover, routinely consuming them in childhood displaces healthier, more nutritious options like fiber-rich foods, essential for a balanced diet and good oral health.
Another risk factor to consider is the type of carbohydrate consumed: the stickier the food’s consistency, the longer it stays in the mouth, making it easier for bacteria to attack the teeth.
Factors that decrease cavity risk include good oral hygiene with proper brushing and flossing, saliva’s protective capacity, healthy teeth, and a balanced diet free of ultra-processed foods. For example, an apple is much healthier as it’s a natural food that cleans teeth due to its consistency, unlike a cookie whose sticky consistency adheres to the tooth and maintains an acidic pH for longer.
Displacement of Corn and Legumes
Research in countries like Brazil and the United States has identified that children with higher ultra-processed food consumption show a higher prevalence of cavities and lower diet quality.
In Mexico, during school medical exams, it was found that 59% of children have cavities, highlighting the problem’s magnitude. The growing consumption of ultra-processed foods in the country has profound social, cultural, and economic consequences, especially among vulnerable populations.
The increase in ultra-processed food consumption among indigenous, rural, and low-income communities signals economic weakness and social inequality. On one hand, their excessive consumption displaces the traditional Mexican diet (based on natural foods like corn, legumes, fruits, and vegetables), leading to a loss of food roots.
Additionally, women’s insertion into the labor market has changed family dynamics, leading to more consumption of these products due to their perception as easy and quick to obtain.
Most concerning is that frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods from an early age increases weight and the development of chronic degenerative diseases like hypertension and type 2 diabetes, the third leading cause of death in Mexico.
Furthermore, dietary changes directly impact family budgets and public health spending. Between 2006 and 2022, Mexican families’ spending on ultra-processed foods increased by 20.5%, while spending on unprocessed foods barely rose by 0.5%. This increase only exacerbates poverty.
Rise in Obesity and Diabetes
These consumption pattern changes translate into a cost in diseases. As previously mentioned, ultra-processed food consumption is linked to increased obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cavities. Managing these conditions represents a significant economic burden in care, attention, and treatments, affecting both families and the healthcare sector. Clearly, prevention is cheaper than treatment.
The ultra-processed food consumption issue is a multifaceted problem that can result in dietary cultural displacement, increased family spending contributing to poverty in vulnerable populations, and an increase in health issues requiring high-cost attention. Reversing this epidemic is urgently needed.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are ultra-processed foods? Ultra-processed foods are those that have undergone significant industrial processing, altering their natural form. They typically contain high levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fats, along with additives to enhance their taste, texture, and appearance.
- Why are ultra-processed foods a problem for dental health? These foods contribute to an acidic environment in the mouth, which lowers the pH and triggers a dental alarm. The acid then dissolves tooth enamel, leading to demineralization and cavities.
- How does the frequency of ultra-processed food consumption impact dental health? Each time these foods are consumed, the acid attack is activated. Routine consumption displaces healthier food options, contributing to poor oral health.
- What are the broader implications of ultra-processed food consumption in Mexico? It has profound social, cultural, and economic consequences, particularly among vulnerable populations. The displacement of traditional Mexican diets, increased obesity and diabetes rates, and the exacerbation of poverty are some of the issues.
- What can be done to address this problem? Reversing the ultra-processed food epidemic requires urgent action, including promoting healthier dietary habits, preserving traditional food cultures, and addressing the socioeconomic factors driving this trend.
