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Public Health Challenges of Modern Diet: The Influence of Processed Foods


Authors : Dr. Gunjan Meena

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 8 - August


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/43ryvkek

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4m599sr9

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26aug441

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : The widespread use of modern technology and changes in eating habits have led to a significant increase in highly processed foods over the past few decades. This has raised concerns about the potential impact on public health. These ultraprocessed foods are typically high in added sugar, unhealthy fats, salts, and various additives, making them very appealing and extending their shelf life. They undergo extensive processing in industrial settings, transforming the original ingredients into a final product designed to be highly palatable and have a longer storage life. The objective of the research paper is to explore the various ways in which highly processed foods affect human health. The research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the public health implications of highly processed foods by examining their nutritional deficiencies, the presence of harmful additives, and the socioeconomic factors that contribute to their usage.

Keywords : Highly Processed Food (HPF), Ultra Processed Food (UPFs), Modern Diet, Hyper-Palatable, Dietary Modifications, Dietary Patterns, Nutritional Inadequacies, Monoculture Crops, Chemical Runoff, Industrial Farming, Antibiotic Resistance, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

References :

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  38. Martínez Steele, E., et al. (2016). "Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: Evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study." BMJ Open, 6(3), e009892.
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  40. Martínez Steele, E., et al. (2016). "Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: Evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study." BMJ Open, 6(3), e009892.
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The widespread use of modern technology and changes in eating habits have led to a significant increase in highly processed foods over the past few decades. This has raised concerns about the potential impact on public health. These ultraprocessed foods are typically high in added sugar, unhealthy fats, salts, and various additives, making them very appealing and extending their shelf life. They undergo extensive processing in industrial settings, transforming the original ingredients into a final product designed to be highly palatable and have a longer storage life. The objective of the research paper is to explore the various ways in which highly processed foods affect human health. The research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the public health implications of highly processed foods by examining their nutritional deficiencies, the presence of harmful additives, and the socioeconomic factors that contribute to their usage.

Keywords : Highly Processed Food (HPF), Ultra Processed Food (UPFs), Modern Diet, Hyper-Palatable, Dietary Modifications, Dietary Patterns, Nutritional Inadequacies, Monoculture Crops, Chemical Runoff, Industrial Farming, Antibiotic Resistance, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - August - 2026

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