by Pay attention to the gap – a survey finds that there is a huge knowledge gap in the ultra-processed, junk-filled diet options and the less healthy supplements people are taking every day. Two-thirds of consumers still don’t know how to spot ultra-processed foods or artificial ingredients in their supplements, a new survey of 2,000 Britons has found.
Key facts:
● 8 out of 10 people say their diet consists of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
● Over half of the calories in the British diet come from UPFs
● 3 out of 5 people can see UPF just by looking at the label
● More than half of them have no idea what the ingredients are in their supplements.
Ultra-processed living is the new way of life in Britain with 8 in 10 people saying their diet consists of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), a new survey of more than 2,000 people by ethical brand Viridian Nutrition has found. The research also showed that three quarters of people think they eat less than they do and it is worrying that 3 out of 5 cannot identify UPF from its label.
There is a growing trend to steer people away from their highly processed lives because it leaves nutritional gaps in the diet and the additives can lead to serious health conditions. Aimee Benbow, Chief Nutritionist at Viridian Nutrition has reviewed the evidence: “Research clearly shows the negative impact of ultra-processed foods. A study of more than 100,000 people in France1 linked UPFs to significantly higher rates of heart disease and strokes. There is also growing evidence for specific additives. Aspartame (artificial sweetener) is now classified as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization. It is worrying that this is still prevalent in foodstuffs, especially fizzy drinks.”
The new survey from Viridian Nutrition revealed major gaps in consumer knowledge about the foods they eat every day – for example, more than six in ten said they are not even sure what ultra-processed food is.
More than half of the British diet consists of UPFs, according to a report in the British Medical Journal. Sustaining this is a huge gap in knowledge. In fact, more than half of the 2,000 people surveyed by Viridian had no idea that everyday foods such as ham, bread, fruit drinks and salad dressings are ultra-processed.
There is even more confusion about what foods are ‘healthy’ – 75 per cent of respondents did not perceive UPFs such as fruit-flavoured yoghurt and many highly processed lunch options as ultra-processed.
As well as being clear about the ingredients in food, there is even more confusion about what is in our supplements. 20 million people in the UK take supplements daily and they can help support nutritional gaps in people’s ultra-processed diets. But, surprisingly, most commercially made supplements contain preservatives, glues, binders, fillers and other ingredients that the body has no use for – known as excipients. These add to people’s ultra-processed intake and over half of those surveyed said they had no idea what ingredients were in their supplements.
That’s why Viridian Nutrition has launched a nationwide ‘No Junk Campaign’ in conjunction with the expert-led Viridian Dejunk your Life 2024 Report which contains detailed advice from qualified experts to help readers understand this confusion.
When asked about key additives, as many as 7 out of 10 do not recognize certain ingredients or do not know whether they are good or bad. Viridian’s Dejunk your Life Report details 25 common excipients found in supplements.
One of these ingredients is titanium dioxide, a commonly mined compound that gives tablets and capsules their uniform color. It is also used in white paint. Titanium dioxide has been classified by the World Health Organization (EDS) as a possible carcinogen and in January 2022, the EU banned it as a food additive. But, in the UK, it is still found in medicines, supplements and many foodstuffs.
Registered Nutritional Practitioner and Microbiologist, Dr Carol Granger, says: “Not all supplements are created equal. Look at the labels of most supplements and you’ll find a list of ingredients you might not expect, from additives to binders, lubricants to glues (yes, glues!). It is vital that you know exactly what is in your supplements. Many of these substances have no benefit to the body, but they make manufacturing easier, so mass production is faster, cheaper and easier.
“The form of your supplement is also important,” continues Dr. Granger. “Whether it’s a tablet, capsule or powder, it will affect the way your body absorbs it. Few people realize, for example, that it is much more difficult for the body to absorb ingredients from a tablet than from a capsule. Tablets also require more manufacturing and more ingredients to make them stable; Their manufacturing processing means they usually require chemicals, colors and other artificial ingredients”.
Aimee Benbow says: “Titanium dioxide is no longer considered a safe food additive by European authorities due to its genotoxic effect, so ask yourself why this is in ‘healthy supplements?’. Look at the labels on the back of your supplements and if you see this or any of the ingredients in the chart below (connection) then think twice before you make the choice to take it.”
For a list of ingredients to watch for and their associated health concerns, see the chart here from Viridian experts. Some of the most common additives found in supplements include magnesium stearate, carrageenan, calcium phosphate and even talc. All of these can have side effects including digestive problems (magnesium stearate), increases in inflammation (carrageenan), allergies and hyperactivity (colors) and not all are necessary. Ingredients like these are only used to make manufacturing easier, so mass production is faster and they have no benefits to the body.
Aimee Benbow says: “Reading the label is the best way to understand what you’re taking and how healthy it is. Whether it’s food or a supplement, many ingredients will be used to change the texture, color and taste, as well as preserve it for longer. Dig deeper and question anything you don’t understand. Independent health shops are great places to find products and health advice.”
Find a complete list of supplements in the Viridian Dejunk Your Life Report where Viridian has gathered leading experts in their fields to advise consumers on dejunking not only their diets but also their entire lives. The report provides detailed expert articles in each of the following areas to help people achieve better health this year:
● Deprocess your diet and identify ultra-processed foods
● Read the labels on foods and supplements and choose the cleanest options
● Simplify your digital life
● Free up your brain space
● Clear the clutter from your home and work space
● Maximize your time by doing less
● Edit your relationships for more connections
● Exercise in a way that is proven to work
● Use behavioral psychology to create habits that stick in 2024
To find out more about No Junk, or to download the Dejunk Your Life Report, visit: www.viridian-nutrition.com/nojunk
The report from page 15 has more background on the supplements to avoid.
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