In 2010, a new way to think about food was born in Brazil. This system, called Nova, sorts food into four main groups. It looks at how much a food has been changed from its natural state. Some foods are hardly changed at all. Others go through a lot of processing. The most changed foods are called ultra-processed. These are the ones to watch out for. Why? Because eating too many of them can lead to big health problems. We're talking about things like obesity, diabetes, and even heart disease. It's not just about what you eat, but how much of it is processed.

In Brazil, the amount of ultra-processed foods people eat has gone up a lot in recent years. From 2002 to 2018, the share of calories from these foods jumped from 12. 6% to 18. 4%. And guess who's eating more of these unhealthy foods? The people who can afford it the least. This is a big deal because it shows that the food we eat can affect our health in a big way. It's not just about eating more or less, but about eating smarter.

The Nova system has been a game-changer for Brazil's food guidelines. It's helped shape policies that aim to cut down on ultra-processed foods. For example, it's influenced what's in the National basic food basket and the guidelines for school meals. The goal? To make sure people have access to healthier food options. But it's not all smooth sailing. There are still challenges to overcome. More studies are needed to really understand the impact of processed foods. And there's a need for better rules around how these foods are sold and marketed. It's a complex issue, but one that's crucial for public health.

So, what can we learn from all this? That the way our food is processed matters. A lot. It's not just about eating more fruits and veggies, but also about cutting back on the processed stuff. And it's not just an individual problem, but a societal one. We need policies and guidelines that support healthier eating habits. After all, our health is on the line. And it's not just about living longer, but living better. It's about enjoying our food and feeling good about what we eat. It's about making choices that nourish our bodies and our minds. It's about taking control of our health, one bite at a time.

BRAZILIAN EPIDEMIOLOGY

The Hidden Impact of Food Processing on Health

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