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How ultra-processed foods impact the body

How bad are they?

Ultra-processed food - things like biscuits and crisps - are making up more and more of our diets globally. In the US and the UK, ultra-processed food actually make up half the calories we eat. New research is calling for more action to reduce this intake because of its potential threat to our health. But what is ultra-processed food and how does it impact the body?

We鈥檙e joined by the 麻豆社 health reporter Annabel Rackham and Priscila Machado, a nutritionist from Deakin鈥檚 Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition in Australia, to talk through everything we need to know. We discuss what ultra-processed food is, what it contains, how to spot it, and if we need to worry about eating it.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden
Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

12 minutes

Last on

Fri 16 Jan 2026 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 15 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
  • Fri 16 Jan 2026 03:50GMT

Podcast