Latest news with #PaulDawson
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MAHA report on children's health highlights harms of ultraprocessed foods – a food scientist explains the research
On May 22, 2025, the White House released a new report highlighting what it claims are the causes of chronic disease in children. The report fleshes out many of the themes that have emerged as priorities for the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement promoted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. One major area of focus is the negative health effects of ultraprocessed foods. The report points to the prevalence of ultraprocessed foods in the American diet as a key contributor to chronic illness in children and cites research that finds that nearly 70% of children's diets and 50% of pregnant and postpartum women's diets in the U.S. consist of ultraprocessed foods. The Conversation U.S. asked Paul Dawson, a food scientist at Clemson University, to explain how the government's stance on the harms of ultraprocessed foods squares with the science. Concerns that ingredients used by food manufacturers can contribute to chronic illness first emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, when research began linking processed food consumption to increasing rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The term 'ultraprocessed food' dates back to the 1980s and was used to describe convenience foods and snacks that contained high amounts of additives and had low nutritional value. As research on the health effects of ultraprocessed foods began to build, experts in public health and the food industry have debated the meaning of the term. Increasingly, researchers are settling on defining ultraprocessed foods based on a framework called the Nova Food Classification System, created in 2009 by nutrition researchers in Brazil. The framework assigns foods to one of four groups based on the level of processing they undergo: Group 1 - Unprocessed or minimally processed foods: This category includes raw fruits, vegetables and meats that may be cleaned, frozen or fermented but remain close to their natural state. Group 2 - Processed culinary ingredients: Think salt, sugar, oils and other ingredients extracted from nature and used to cook and flavor foods. Group 3 - Processed foods: Foods in this category are made by adding ingredients like salt or sugar to Group 1 items — for example, canned vegetables or cheese. Group 4 - Ultraprocessed foods: These are mostly foods that contain ingredients not found in a typical kitchen, such as hydrogenated oils, modified starches, flavor enhancers, color additives and preservatives. Examples include chips, sodas, candy bars and many frozen meals, which are designed to be hyper-palatable and often nutrient-poor. A growing body of research links ultraprocessed foods with many negative health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and cognitive decline. One issue is that these products are typically high in added sugar, sodium, saturated fats and chemical additives, and low in fiber, vitamins and essential micronutrients. But some studies also suggest that what makes these foods harmful isn't just the ingredients but also how they're made. That's because the industrial processing of fats and starches can produce harmful compounds. For example, a substance called acrolein, formed when oils are heated at high temperatures, has been linked to DNA damage. Studies are also finding that microparticles from packaging and plastics, now found in air, water and food, may disrupt the gut microbiome, a key player in immune and metabolic health. One drawback of nutrition studies is that they often rely on self-reported dietary data, which can be inaccurate. They can also have confounding factors that are difficult to account for, such as lifestyle patterns. However, the consistency of the findings across diverse populations gives credence to the growing concerns about ultraprocessed foods. An important caveat, however, is that not all ultraprocessed foods are created equal. They vary in how nutritious they are, and some ultraprocessed foods play an important role for vulnerable populations. For example, foods containing the slow-release carbohydrate sweetener sucromalt help people with diabetes prevent blood sugar spikes, and hypoallergenic infant formula can be lifesaving for infants that cannot digest milk at a young age. The report echoes key themes of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a document jointly published by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services every five years. Both the MAHA report and the federal guidelines encourage the consumption of nutrient-dense, whole foods. One critical difference between them is that the 2020-2025 dietary guidelines make no mention of ultraprocessed foods. Some public health experts have noted that this omission may reflect food industry influence. Kennedy has stated that a follow-up report outlining a strategy and potential policy reforms for addressing childhood chronic illness will be released in mid-August 2025. However, change is unlikely to be straightforward. Ultraprocessed foods represent a significant industry, and policies that challenge their prominence may encounter resistance from influential commercial interests. For decades, U.S. agricultural subsidies, food policy and consumers have supported the mass production and consumption of ultraprocessed foods. Reversing their overconsumption will require structural shifts in how food is produced, distributed and consumed in the U.S. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Paul Dawson, Clemson University Read more: Ultraprocessed foods – like cookies, chips, frozen meals and fast food – may contribute to cognitive decline Foods high in added fats and refined carbs are like cigarettes – addictive and unhealthy Nutrition Facts labels have a complicated legacy – a historian explains the science and politics of translating food into information Paul Dawson receives funding from the USDA.
Press and Journal
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
5 great places to go for an ice cream in Aberdeen
We all love ice cream, and in Aberdeen there are some amazing places to enjoy a cone or a couple of scoops. Whether you are out for a stroll with your family and friends, or you just want a sweet treat to brighten your day, we've compiled a list of some must-visit ice cream shops, cafes and parlours in Aberdeen. The only thing left to think about is what flavour to choose, oh and let's not be stingy with the toppings! If you are in the beach area then an ice cream is a must! Pavilion Café on the Esplanade has been making their own gelato for the last four years. What's not to love about that?! Cafe owner Paul Dawson is passionate about their homemade Buzz Gelato. Gelato maker Maciek Ciechanowicz creates the gelato at the back of the café. Flavours of gelato on offer include blueberry cheesecake, bubble-gum and orange and mandarin. They also create seasonal specials such as creme egg gelato – yum! Address: 5-6 Esplanade, Aberdeen AB24 5NS Made with milk from their farm which is 19.2 miles away from the Marischal Square-based ice cream parlour in Aberdeen, Mackie's 19.2 offers a whole range of flavours for customers to indulge in. The firm has often introduced more unique flavours such as Christmas tree pine needle and a jam and scone option, which was available to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Whether you love traditional vanilla or flavours such as honeycomb or butterscotch, there will be something on the menu for you. There's also a range of toppings and sauces to add, too. Address: 7 Marischal Square, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1BL If you are out and about with your family, it's the perfect opportunity to stop by Crema for an ice cream in Aberdeen. Crema has two venues, one in the Bridge of Don, and the other in Woodend. Flavours such as double cream vanilla, Scottish tablet, Nutella, Kinder Bueno and much more were available in the Bridge of Don branch when we stopped by. Prices start at £2.95 for a single scoop tub, and £2.20 for a teddy cone. Addresses: 6 Scotstown Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB23 8HS 109 Rousay Drive, Aberdeen AB15 6LT There are so many ice cream flavours to pick from at this award-winning family firm – including the newly introduced na-na special – consisting of banana, sticky toffee pudding and crushed pecans. Ice cream prices start from £3.75 for one large scoop. There's also a range of milkshakes and sundaes on the menu too. Address: 60 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB25 2XJ This popular dessert parlour has two branches in Aberdeen. However, the award-winning venue also has outlets in Ellon, as well as Inverness. Last year the business took first prize in the desserts category at the Deliveroo annual restaurant awards. There's plenty of deliciousness on the menu here. Ice cream cones start from £2.20 while tubs start at £2.75 for one scoop. There's plenty of sauces and toppings to select from too. And if you like sundaes you will be spoiled for choice as there's flavours such as banoffee and chocolate fudge to enjoy. Addresses: 149 Spital, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB24 3HX 441 Great Northern Road, Woodside, Aberdeen AB24 2EH
