Page 87 - FoodFocusThailand No.231 June 2025

SOMETHING
SOMETHING ABOUT FOOD ABOUT FOOD

First, it’s important to understand that disease risk
factors vary from person to person. For example, men are
at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease
than women, and individuals with immediate family members
who have noncommunicable diseases are more likely to
develop these conditions compared to those without a
genetic history. However, even if we are at higher risk
than the general population, we can still reduce that risk
by adopting healthier and more cautious eating When comparing the consumption of ultra-processed
habits. foods between Thailand and Western countries such as the
United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, it is evident
Ultra-Processed Foods: that Thai people still consume significantly less of these
A Risk Factor for Noncommunicable Diseases foods. However, the trend in Thailand is on the rise,
Ultra-processed foods have undergone extensive particularly among teenagers and working adults. Factors
processing, meaning their natural structure has been contributing to the growing popularity of ultra-processed
significantly altered through complex manufacturing foods include their appealing taste, product variety,
methods. These foods typically contain a wide variety of convenience, and ease of storage. Today, ultra-processed
ingredients and are processed through techniques designed foods come in many forms, and some people stock up on
to extend shelf life. Ultra-processed foods include soft drinks, them because they have a long shelf life, retain their taste,
packaged snacks, smoked sausages, bacon, ham, factory- and can be easily consumed whenever desired. The author
produced bread, and ready-to-eat microwave meals. Over and many academics do not believe that ultra-processed
the past decade, numerous studies have shown that high foods should be completely avoided. In reality, food is one
consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to various of life’s pleasures. What’s essential is consuming these
diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, foods in appropriate amounts and maintaining dietary
and obesity. variety. Most importantly, emphasis should be placed on
In addition, there is also a link to “biological aging,” which eating a diet prepared from fresh ingredients or minimally
refers to the body deteriorating faster than usual, even when processed foods, which should form the foundation of one’s
a person is still young in chronological age. To meet consumer daily diet.
preferences, many ultra-processed foods contain added When purchasing processed foods, we must read the
natural sugars or high-fructose corn syrup to enhance packaging labels each time to ensure we select
taste, texture, and color. This results in extremely high products with appropriate nutritional value. You can learn
sugar, sodium, and saturated fat levels. Regular and how to read food labels from various online resources. It is
excessive consumption of these foods can negatively impact also advisable to choose processed foods low in sodium,
health, leading to nutrient deficiencies, wrinkled and saturated fat, trans fats, and sugar. Look for products with
sagging skin, premature aging, and an increased risk of the “Healthier Choice” symbol, which indicates that the
dementia. Moreover, ultra-processed foods affect the brain product meets nutritional standards and contains suitable
in the same way as other systems in the body. For example, fat, sodium, and sugar levels. Additionally, cooking at home—
frequently consuming high-calorie foods can lead to obesity, even if it may not taste as flavorful as ultra-processed foods
which is linked to depression. This happens because it allows us to control the amount of seasoning used and
dysfunctional fat cells release inflammatory molecules that avoid food additives such as artificial coloring, preservatives,
affect the brain, contributing to anxiety, depression, and or stabilizers. This makes home-cooked meals cleaner and
long-term dementia. healthier overall.
Over the past year, Food Focus Thailand magazine
has provided information on nutrients that help reduce
the risk of non-communicable diseases, such as
antioxidants, phytosterols, dietary fiber, and probiotics that
benefit gut health. The magazine encourages readers to
consider the root causes of these diseases and adjust
their eating habits accordingly. Doing so can significantly
reduce the risk of developing various non-communicable
diseases.

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