The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee Not All Ultra-Processed Foods Are Bad — New Science Explains Why
Feb 3, 2026
Dr. Hana Kahleova, director of clinical research and nutrition researcher, outlines a review of 300+ studies on ultra-processed foods. She explains why animal-based processed foods and sweetened drinks are the biggest harms. She highlights surprising protective roles for some breads, cereals, and plant-based packaged foods. She discusses fiber’s role and limits of the NOVA classification.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ultra-Processed Foods Are Not Uniform
- Not all ultra-processed foods have the same health effects; grouping them together hides important differences.
- Hana Kahleova found some processed plant foods can be protective while animal-based processed foods drive harm.
Meat Drives Most Processed-Food Harm
- Animal-based ultra-processed foods, especially processed meats, consistently drive the association with diabetes.
- Some breads, cereals, and packaged snacks were linked to lower diabetes risk in cohort studies.
Beverage Links Go Beyond Calories
- Sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages both associate with higher diabetes risk, suggesting factors beyond calories.
- Observational studies may confound beverages with overall dietary patterns like fast-food meals.