You have probably heard sugar, fat, and salt as being the three main contributors to weight gain. But research suggests another component to watch out for processed foods. Processed foods are made from cheap-industrial ingredients including hydrogenated oils, corn fructose syrup, flavorings, and emulsifiers.



A recent study conducted by the NIH suggests that the nature of processed foods itself makes people overeat. This study is a randomized controlled study and has established a causal relationship between a diet with processed foods and weight gain.



In this study, participants who consumed ultra- processed foods had consumed 508 calories more, on average, than people who had a cleaner diet. As a result, those who ate processed foods gained two pounds more over a two week period, on average.



Here are some fast facts from this study:



The meals offered to the two groups contained the same calories, fats, protein, sugar, carbohydrates, and fiber; however, participants ate more of the ultra-processed meals even though they were not necessarily tastier.

On a physiological level, those eating the processed diet had lower levels of appetite-suppressing hormone called PYY, which may explain why they consumed more food.

People eat much faster on the ultra-processed diet, as the food is softer and easier to chew, leading to overeating.

The next time you see a bag of chips or a sugar-coated pastry from your local convenience store, try to stay away from it, especially if it is processed. Instead, opt for a smoothie or fruit bowl to satisfy any craving for sweets. Your body will thank you in the long run for treating it with clean, sustainable, and unprocessed food.



Check out Doctor Mike’s video on Youtube for more specific details:



Sources:

