The Junk Food Doctor This Food Is Worse Than Smoking! & This Diet Prevents 60% Of Disease! Chris Van Tulleken (UltraProcessed People Author)

Dr. Chris van Tulleken, a doctor and researcher, delves into the pervasive impact of ultra-processed foods on global health, revealing that these foods, engineered for overconsumption, now constitute 75% of global calorie intake. Driven by a 'food mafia' of powerful companies, these foods are linked to a pandemic of diet-related diseases, now surpassing tobacco as the leading cause of early death. Van Tulleken argues that addressing poverty could eliminate 60% of diet-related diseases, as financial constraints force many to consume harmful, ultra-processed foods. He disputes the simplistic 'calories in, calories out' approach, highlighting the complexities of human metabolism and the addictive nature of these foods. Van Tulleken's insights challenge the narrative of personal responsibility and call for systemic change to promote social justice and increase access to healthy, affordable food.

• Chris van Tulleken shares his personal experience with a typical British diet and its negative consequences.
• He gained weight, experienced a cycle of overeating, anxiety, sleeplessness, and noticed changes in his brain activity.
• Chris warns that if such a diet were continued for a year, serious health implications could arise.

"I ate a diet that's very normal for a british person. I gained so much weight, got in this vicious cycle of overeating, anxiety, sleeplessness, scanned my brain, and if I'd continued for a year, I would have."

The quote highlights the personal impact of a typical British diet on Chris van Tulleken, emphasizing the link between diet and physical/mental health.

• Ultra-processed foods constitute 75% of global calorie consumption, predominantly from a small number of powerful companies.
• These foods are engineered to be excessively consumed and are linked to a pandemic of diet-related diseases.
• Poor diets are now the leading cause of early death, surpassing tobacco.
• Children's physical and intellectual growth is negatively impacted by diet.

"Examined the effects ultraprocessed food have on us all. 75% of the calories that are consumed globally come from sakes company, a food mafia. They are controlling our food and what we eat, engineered to be consumed to excess."

Chris van Tulleken explains the dominance of ultra-processed foods in the global diet and the intentional engineering behind their addictive qualities, contributing to a health crisis.

• Chris van Tulleken expresses disinterest in personal responsibility, focusing instead on social justice.
• Economic disparity forces people to consume unhealthy food, and eliminating poverty could significantly reduce diet-related diseases.

"I have almost no interest in personal responsibility. This is about social justice. People without money, they're forced to eat bad food. If you got rid of poverty, you would get rid of around 60% of the problem of diet related disease."

The quote underlines Chris van Tulleken's stance that societal issues, rather than individual choices, are at the core of the problem with diet-related diseases.

• Chris van Tulleken addresses the misconception that weight loss is solely about calories in vs. calories out.
• He points to robust scientific evidence that counters this oversimplified view.

"There are two very big problems with that, and this is very good, robust science."

Chris van Tulleken hints at the complexities of weight loss that go beyond the simplistic calorie-centric approach, suggesting that there are significant scientific findings to support this.

• The host expresses gratitude to listeners for allowing the podcast team to pursue their dreams.
• The podcast serves as a learning platform and a means to address personal problems.
• Audience engagement, through actions like subscribing, is crucial for the show's growth and ability to attract quality guests.

"I just want to start this episode with a message of thanks, a thank you to everybody that tunes in to listen to this podcast."

The host thanks the audience for their support, emphasizing the importance of their engagement in the success and development of the podcast.

• Chris van Tulleken emphasizes the confusion around dietary choices and the need for clear labeling of harmful foods.
• The book addresses the global pandemic of diet-related diseases and its broader environmental impacts.
• The definition of ultra-processed foods was developed to describe the Western industrial American diet and its rapid spread to other countries.

"It matters to all of us, because for a very long time, we've been incredibly confused about what to eat."

Chris van Tulleken explains the motivation behind his book, highlighting the need for clarity in understanding the impact of ultra-processed foods on health and society.

• Chris van Tulleken shares a personal connection to the issue of obesity through his identical twin brother's experience.
• The book explores the addictive nature of ultra-processed foods and the counterproductive effects of nagging people about their eating habits.

"I'm an identical twin. I've got a brother who lived with obesity for a very long time, and my weight would fluctuate."

Chris van Tulleken shares a personal anecdote to illustrate the deep-rooted issues surrounding obesity and diet, which inspired him to write the book.

• Chris van Tulleken argues that personal responsibility is a redundant concept when it comes to public health.
• He provides evidence that societal structure, rather than individual willpower, is the key determinant of health outcomes.
• Financial stability enables smarter food choices, suggesting that economic factors are critical in addressing diet-related issues.

"I think we have really, really good evidence that personal responsibility, these arguments around willpower and personal responsibility are morally, scientifically and economically redundant."

Chris van Tulleken dismisses the notion of personal responsibility in favor of addressing societal and economic factors that influence health and dietary choices.

• The rise in obesity since the mid-1970s is linked to the industrialization of the food supply.
• Ultra-processed foods became widespread due to convenience and societal changes.
• The financialization of the food industry prioritizes profit over public health.

"1970. The food environment changes. Can you tell me exactly how the food environment changed that caused multiple demographics to gain weight?"

Chris van Tulleken explains how the food environment transformed in the 1970s, leading to the obesity epidemic, with ultra-processed foods playing a central role.

• A small number of companies dominate global calorie consumption.
• The food industry is driven by financial incentives, leading to the prevalence of ultra-processed foods.
• The consolidation of food production into a few commodities has narrowed human diets.

"So now 75% of the calories that are consumed globally come from six companies."

Chris van Tulleken illustrates the concentration of power within the food industry and its impact on global dietary patterns.

• Ultra-processed foods are distinguished from whole and traditional processed foods.
• They are made from commodity ingredients and are engineered for long shelf life and high consumption.
• Ultra-processed foods are often devoid of real food nutrients and are designed to be irresistible and potentially addictive.

"So the definition was invented 2009, 2010. And we've had a decade of evidence. Now, that is very clear that it is ultraprocessed food that is responsible not just for pandemic weight gain and obesity, but also for a long list of other health problems, including early death."

Chris van Tulleken provides a definition of ultra-processed foods and summarizes a decade of evidence linking these foods to a range of health problems.

• The debate around obesity includes contrasting views on personal choice versus environmental factors.
• Chris van Tulleken emphasizes the overriding influence of the food environment on health outcomes.

"What is the balance there between personal responsibility and being a victim of circumstance in the sort of food landscape in society that we live in?"

The host questions the balance between personal agency and environmental influence in the context of obesity, to which Chris van Tulleken responds by highlighting the significance of environmental factors.

• Ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive and encourage overconsumption.
• The food industry uses focus groups to fine-tune products for maximal consumption, affecting people's eating behaviors and health.

"The food is put through, if you like, almost a darwinian evolutionary process where every single thing, every dial is tweaked on every product."

Chris van Tulleken explains how the food industry continuously optimizes ultra-processed foods to make them more addictive and irresistible, contributing to overeating and health issues.

• Food labeling may include a traffic light system indicating healthiness, but it's not mandatory.
• The system can be confusing, as it's unclear what actions consumers should take when they see orange and green labels.
• There is no standard way to describe healthy versus unhealthy food in the country.

"It's optional, by the way, so it's not always on every packet. But the Cheerios are oranges and greens."

The quote explains that the traffic light system on food packaging is not compulsory and can be inconsistent, which may lead to confusion among consumers.

• Caramel E 150 D is not traditional caramel but a food additive with no health benefits.
• Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acid sulfate k may not aid in weight loss and could be metabolically harmful.
• Sweeteners can confuse the body's physiological response to sugar intake, potentially leading to health issues.

"Caramel E 150 D has nothing to do with caramel. It is carbohydrate treated with a mixture of acids and heat to produce things that contain ammonium and sulfite."

The quote clarifies that the caramel color in beverages is not the same as traditional caramel and is instead a potentially harmful food additive.

• Flavorings in food can be misleading and physiologically confusing when out of context.
• The body has a sophisticated system to link flavors with nutritional content, which is disrupted by artificial flavorings.
• Certain ingredients like phosphoric acid can be harmful to bone and tooth health.

"When you put flavorings out of context, even if you extract them from the tomato or the strawberry or the peach, it's very confusing for you physiologically."

This quote emphasizes the issue with artificial flavorings which can disrupt the body's natural association between taste and nutritional content.

• Children are consuming large amounts of artificially sweetened drinks, which have not shown to aid in weight loss or health improvements.
• The prevalence of artificial sweeteners is a result of the sugar tax, leading to their widespread use in beverages.

"So we've taxed sugar. Sugar has come out of our diet. We've seen no weight loss, no indication that it's helping health."

The quote highlights the unintended consequences of the sugar tax, which has led to an increase in artificial sweetener consumption without health benefits.

• Fizzy drinks are considered harmful and should be avoided by children, who should instead consume milk and water.
• Breakfast cereals, while convenient, are not as healthy as whole grains and can lead to overconsumption.

"I think fizzy drinks are really quite harmful across the board. So kids should just drink milk and water."

The quote suggests that fizzy drinks are detrimental to health and that children should be encouraged to drink healthier alternatives like milk and water.

• Ultra-processed foods often come with health claims, which can be a sign of their processed nature.
• Real, unprocessed foods do not need added vitamins and generally do not come with health claims.

"A really good way of telling if a food is ultraprocessed is if there is any health claim on the packet."

The quote implies that the presence of health claims on packaging is a strong indicator of a food being ultra-processed.

• Even high-end ultra-processed foods contain ingredients not found in a domestic kitchen and are designed for overconsumption.
• There is no significant difference between cheaper and more expensive ultra-processed foods in terms of health impact.

"They're both ultraprocessed. I know, because I looked at the ingredients."

This quote confirms that regardless of price or branding, both cheap and expensive ultra-processed foods share unhealthy characteristics.

• An experiment with an 80% ultra-processed food diet led to significant weight gain and changes in brain connectivity related to reward and habit.
• Ultra-processed foods interfere with the body's satiety signals, leading to overeating.

"I gained so much weight that if I'd continued for a year, I would have doubled my body weight."

The quote reveals the extreme weight gain experienced during the experiment, highlighting the dangers of a diet high in ultra-processed foods.

• Studies show a correlation between ultra-processed food consumption and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and dementia.
• Personal experience on the diet included sleep disturbances and increased anxiety, suggesting a link between diet and mental health.

"And my experience of being on the diet was that there was a thing that I think the research doesn't capture, which is because it's salty."

This quote reflects on the personal mental health struggles faced during the ultra-processed food diet, supporting the epidemiological data linking such diets to mental health problems.

• The World Obesity Federation predicts a significant increase in the global population living with obesity within the next twelve years.
• The problem is attributed to the food environment rather than individual choices.

"51% of the world, or more than 4 billion people, will be obese or overweight within the next twelve years."

The quote cites a concerning statistic on the projected rise in obesity, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in the food environment.

• Disadvantaged individuals often lack the resources and environment to make healthy food choices.
• The argument that everyone can simply choose healthier options ignores the socio-economic barriers to accessing healthy food.

"They are completely unable to buy it. In the case of the asylum seekers, they're on eight pounds a day and they can't work."

This quote illustrates the lack of choice faced by disadvantaged individuals, making it clear that the issue is not simply about personal decisions.

• Historical experiments with children choosing their diet from unprocessed foods showed they can balance their nutritional needs instinctively.
• Providing a variety of whole foods allows children to naturally regulate their intake and meet their nutritional requirements.

"And all the kids that she studied over many, many years, with access to a full range of foods, perfectly matched all their nutritional needs."

The quote summarizes the findings of Clara Davis's experiments, suggesting that when given a range of whole foods, children can self-regulate a healthy diet.

• Chris van Tulleken discusses the challenges of avoiding ultra-processed food even with means and resources.
• He emphasizes that real food is often unaffordable and unavailable to many, highlighting a social justice issue.
• The argument is that individual efforts to avoid ultra-processed food can be futile without addressing the broader societal context.

"It is really appalling that even for people with a lot of means, real food is incredibly affordable and unavailable."

This quote captures the crux of Chris's argument about the social justice aspect of food accessibility. Despite having the means, many people still find it difficult to access real, unprocessed food due to its affordability and availability, pointing to a systemic issue rather than an individual failing.

• WHOOP AI is presented as a tool that uses artificial intelligence to provide personalized health recommendations.
• The WHOOP Coach feature synthesizes health and fitness data to answer personalized questions.
• The technology demonstrates how AI can be leveraged to enhance individual health and fitness journeys.

"My WHOOP doesn't leave my wrist. And their new feature, which is called WHOOP Coach, uses the power of advanced AI to synthesize all of your health and fitness data and to provide you with personalized recommendations to support you on your health and fitness journey."

This quote explains the functionality of WHOOP AI's WHOOP Coach feature and its benefits. It emphasizes the personalized nature of the recommendations and how advanced AI is used to support health and fitness goals.

• Huel Daily Greens is a product that contains 91 vitamins, minerals, and whole food ingredients, simplifying nutrition.
• The product is praised for its taste and convenience as an alternative to taking multiple pills or vitamins.
• It's currently only available in the US, with potential expansion based on consumer demand.

"It's nice not to have to think about taking lots of different pills and vitamins in the morning. I can just take this and I know that I'm giving my body a good dose of all the vitamins and minerals that it needs every morning."

This quote highlights the convenience and comprehensive nature of Huel Daily Greens as a nutritional supplement, suggesting it is a practical alternative to consuming multiple different supplements.

• The concept of maintaining a calorie deficit for weight loss is discussed, with some advocating that it allows for flexibility in food choices.
• Chris van Tulleken acknowledges that while mathematically correct, this approach overlooks the complexity of individual relationships with food and the limited impact of exercise on calorie expenditure.

"Mathematically, he's not entirely wrong. There are two very, very big problems with that."

Chris van Tulleken points out that while the calorie deficit model is not entirely incorrect, it fails to consider important factors such as individual genetics and the addictive nature of certain foods, which can make it difficult for some people to adhere to a calorie-controlled diet.

• The fixed energy model suggests that sustained physical activity does not significantly increase daily calorie burn.
• Exercise is beneficial because it reallocates energy from processes like inflammation and anxiety to physical activity.
• Chris van Tulleken references Herman Poncer's research with the Hadza tribe to illustrate this concept.

"When you do sustained activity over a long period, it doesn't massively impact your calories."

This quote summarizes the fixed energy model's finding that long-term physical activity does not lead to a substantial increase in calorie expenditure, challenging the common belief that exercise significantly affects weight through calorie burning.

• The discussion touches on the concept of willpower, especially related to food consumption and weight management.
• Twin studies are mentioned to illustrate the influence of genetics and environmental factors on obesity and intelligence.
• Chris van Tulleken explains that heritability of certain traits can vary greatly depending on socioeconomic status.

"If you come from a well off household, all your genes, whether they're for a healthy body shape or for intelligence, they're all maxed out. And so all the variability is genetic in the population."

This quote explains that in affluent households, genetic potential for traits like intelligence or a healthy body shape is fully expressed, while in low-income households, environmental factors may prevent the expression of these genetic traits, indicating that the role of genetics can be heavily influenced by one's environment.

• Chris van Tulleken argues that ultra-processed foods (UPF) can be addictive, fitting the definition of addiction due to continued use despite knowledge of harm.
• He suggests that for some people, abstinence from UPF might be a more effective strategy than moderation.
• The addictive qualities of UPF are compared to other addictive substances, with the speed of consumption playing a role.

"The definition of addiction is continued use of a substance, despite knowledge of harms, physical or psychological, and despite repeated attempts to quit."

This quote defines addiction and relates it to the consumption of ultra-processed foods, which many people continue to eat despite being aware of negative health consequences and the desire to stop, indicating the addictive nature of these foods.

• Consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to a range of health issues, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
• Chris van Tulleken states that a high UPF diet causes more deaths globally than other health risks.
• The conversation suggests a need for increased awareness and systemic changes to address the health impacts of UPF.

"A high UPF diet is linked to more deaths globally than tobacco, high blood pressure, or any other health risk. 22% of all deaths."

This quote emphasizes the significant health risk posed by ultra-processed food consumption, comparing its impact on mortality to that of well-known health risks like tobacco use and high blood pressure.

• The discussion concludes with the importance of individual awareness and informed choices about food consumption.
• Chris van Tulleken encourages readers to move from seeing themselves as victims to becoming activists in their own lives and in the broader food system.
• He suggests that while those with privilege can make better food choices, systemic change is necessary to address the issues faced by those who do not have the same level of choice.

"I think we need to rest a little bit of control, back off those companies."

Chris van Tulleken advocates for taking back control from large food corporations that heavily influence the food environment, suggesting that individual and collective actions are necessary to counteract the pervasive marketing and availability of ultra-processed foods.

• Chris van Tulleken emphasizes the importance of personal agency and freedom in dietary choices.
• He does not prescribe a specific diet or insist on eating less ultra-processed food (UPF) as an obligation.
• Chris believes individuals should have the autonomy to make their own choices without being pressured by predatory marketing.

"I like freedom. I don't like being told what to do. And so I am not prescriptive about what anyone should eat."

This quote highlights Chris's stance on personal freedom and non-prescriptive advice regarding diet, reflecting his respect for individual autonomy.

• Chris van Tulleken advocates for tackling poverty as a primary step to improve health outcomes.
• He argues that poverty is a political choice and that wealth distribution should ensure equal opportunities for children, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
• Policies should aim to make real food affordable and accessible to all, not just the wealthy.

"The number one thing is tackle poverty. Poverty is a political choice."

Chris emphasizes that addressing poverty is crucial for equitable health outcomes and that it's a political decision to allocate resources effectively to combat it.

• Chris van Tulleken calls for light regulation in the food industry, such as clear labeling of unhealthy foods and inclusion of the risks of ultra-processed foods in national nutrition guidance.
• He suggests that the government should recommend consuming less ultra-processed food, but acknowledges the dilemma this poses given the current food environment.
• He believes that the food industry should be treated like the tobacco industry, with its influence on public health policy minimized.

"We need to appropriately label unhealthy food. And at the moment, the labels are so confusing as to be unusable."

This quote underscores the need for clearer labeling to help consumers make informed choices about their food consumption.

• Chris van Tulleken discusses the link between ultra-processed foods and poor health outcomes, noting that this is a global issue.
• He points out that in countries like Argentina, warning labels on unhealthy products are prominent.
• The control of the public health narrative by the food and drink industry in the UK is a significant concern for Chris, with major charities and associations funded by UPF companies.

"The pandemic obesity is primarily due to this western industrial diet. Everyone agrees on this."

Chris highlights the consensus on the negative impact of the western industrial diet on health, particularly obesity.

• Chris van Tulleken describes the psychological journey from addiction to disgust regarding food choices.
• He relates this to the concept of the "uncanny valley" in animation, where something almost but not quite human can become repulsive.
• Chris's own food preferences changed during the writing of his book, leading him to reject ultra-processed foods that he now finds unappealing.

"I think resisting addictions, if you live with addiction, is almost impossible."

This quote reflects the difficulty of overcoming food addictions and the importance of changing one's emotional response to addictive foods.

• Chris van Tulleken questions whether ultra-processed products can be considered food.
• He defines food as a substance consumed for nourishment on multiple levels, including cultural and psychological.
• Chris argues that products developed primarily for profit do not meet this definition of food.

"I don't think it meets what I think is a useful cultural definition of food."

Chris challenges the classification of certain products as food, suggesting they lack the nourishing qualities that define real food.

• Chris van Tulleken expresses mixed feelings about optimism in public health, noting that significant progress can be slow.
• He draws parallels with the tobacco industry, where regulation took decades but ultimately succeeded.
• Chris is hopeful about alternative economic models and corporate structures that could promote healthier food options.

"Nothing worth achieving will be achieved in our lifetime."

This quote emphasizes the long-term nature of public health advocacy and the need for sustained effort across generations.

• Chris van Tulleken reflects on parenting, expressing regret over not spending quality time with his children.
• He emphasizes the importance of being present and engaged with family, similar to the dedication shown in professional life.

"It's not spending the kind of quality time that I've just given you with them."

Chris shares his personal regret, which is not dedicating the same quality time and presence to his children as he does to his professional interactions.

• Chris van Tulleken discusses the impact of diet on physical and intellectual development, including the stunting of growth in children.
• He shares anecdotes about the differences in height and intellectual achievements among siblings and twins raised in different environments, suggesting a link to diet.

"You're stunted physically and intellectually."

This quote connects the quality of diet with both physical stature and cognitive development, implying that poor nutrition can have comprehensive effects on growth and intelligence.