A recent study reveals that 39% of Americans mistakenly believe all processed foods are unhealthy. The findings highlight the urgent need for better public awareness and education regarding the varied health impacts of different processed foods.
A significant portion of Americans cannot accurately identify which processed foods are healthy and which are not, according to new research conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and published in JAMA Network Open.
The study, which surveyed 2,174 U.S. adults online in December 2024, revealed that 39% of respondents incorrectly believed all processed foods are unhealthy.
When asked about foods that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, 51% cited sugar, 19% said desserts and 7% pointed to carbohydrates in general, all misleading answers.
“Foods considered ‘ultra-processed’ can reduce diabetes risk or increase it, depending on which ones they are,” lead author Neal Barnard, the president of PCRM, said in a news release. “Studies show it’s processed meat consumption that is associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, not plant-based ultra-processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, which are actually associated with reduced risk of these conditions.”
Key Findings in Context
The research comes at a pivotal moment as the American Medical Association has recently endorsed public education about the health impacts of various types of processed foods.
Meanwhile, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing to request stakeholder input on defining ultra-processed foods — a potential stepping stone to new dietary guidelines.
The four-tiered NOVA system, developed by Brazilian researchers in 2010, is often used to classify ultra-processed foods, but the FDA has yet to adopt an official definition.
This definition could influence the next iteration of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which set nutrition standards for federal food programs, including the National School Lunch Program.
“It is important that a federal definition of ultra-processed foods reflect scientific evidence and avoids aggravating public confusion,” added Barnard, who is also an adjunct professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine. “Science shows that ultra-processed foods differ greatly: Certain ones are associated with health problems while others are associated with reduced risk.”
Broader Implications
Additional studies substantiate these findings.
For instance, a Harvard University study indicated that high processed meat consumption correlates with a 44% increased risk of diabetes, while eating ultra-processed cereals is associated with a 22% reduction in diabetes risk.
Moreover, a recent study published in BMC found that moderate consumption of muesli and bran cereal is linked to lower mortality risks related to cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Diets high in saturated fats, primarily from animal products, have been shown to decrease insulin sensitivity within four weeks, even in individuals with initially normal insulin sensitivity, without causing weight changes. These insights are critical as the United States faces rising diabetes rates.
Attitudinal surveys, including one from 2023, reinforce the current findings, indicating that most Americans’ perceptions of food healthfulness are skewed by their ideas about processing levels. Younger respondents particularly struggled to identify processed meats as unhealthy despite clear associations with diabetes and other chronic conditions.
“The vague term ‘processed foods’ should be replaced by more specific terms describing foods’ known health effects,” Barnard added. “Some plant-based foods that are considered processed, such as cereal and canned vegetables and fruit, are actually what Americans need to fight chronic lifestyle diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”