List of foods ‘worse for you than smoking’ as doctor issues serious warningYou might need to make some changes to your weekly shop James Moorhouse Here's a list of foods that you might want to keep in mind the next time you do your weekly shop. While appearing on the Diary of a CEO podcast, NHS doctor Chris van Tulleken suggested that ultra-processed foods (UPFS) have 'overtaken tobacco as the leading cause of early death on planet Earth'. He even went as far as to claim they should be classed as 'industrially processed edible substances' rather than food. According to the British Heart Foundation, ultra-processed foods often contain additives and ingredients not common in everyday cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. As well as this, they also tend to have high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar, and it's been previously suggested that the additives in UPFS may negatively impact our health. Dr Chris van Tulleken spoke about the health impacts of ultra-processed foods (YouTube/Diary of a CEO) A 2024 review from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) looking at 10 million participants over 45 studies suggests that eating more ultra-processed foods could lead to a higher mortality rate and has some connections to conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health disorders. So what foods should we avoid on our big shop if we want to truly treat our body as a temple? Supermarket breadEven though we've all been told growing up that wholemeal and brown bread is good for us, the reality is that none of the mass-produced stuff is particularly good for the body, and a quick look at the often gigantic ingredient lists might give you a clue as to why. According to the National Library of Medicine, bread also accounts for 11 per cent of the calories we ingest, so it's worth getting some that has minimal additives to help you limit the amount of UPFs you consume. The good news here is that it should encourage you to visit your local bakery for some fresh bread that not only tastes way nicer, but is also clearly far better for your health. Failing that, we can all go back five years in time and start making our own sourdoughs again. You might be better off in a bakery (Getty Stock) Energy drinksWhile they might be the go-to before an early work shift or after a gym session, energy drinks aren't always what they are made out to be. According to Harvard Health, energy drinks contain caffeine and sugar, and a Consumer Reports study found that 27 energy drinks contained between six and 242 milligrams per serving. As with anything, moderation is key to avoiding serious issues; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says 400 mg per day is usually safe for adults. However, regular consumption can lead to serious health issues, particularly for the heart. UC Davis Health says energy drinks can cause irregular heart rhythm, as well as an increased heart rate and blood pressure, which are both risk factors of heart disease. Energy drinks often have a ton of caffeine in them (Getty stock images) Breakfast cerealsThe biggest culprit in most breakfast cereals is added sugar. According to the NHS, eating too much sugar can cause weight gain and tooth decay. Meanwhile, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Dakota, Nathaniel Johnson, said in The Conversation that consuming sugary cereal can increase hunger and trigger greater insulin release, which could contribute to the development of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The recommended amount of sugar for an adult is no more than 30g a day, while for children, it is 24 grams. While you can find some low-sugar or minimally processed options, such as porridge and bran flakes, adding additional sugars and sweeteners impairs their health benefits, according to a 2025 study on the National Library of Medicine. Breakfast cereals are often high in sugar (Getty Stock) Hot dogsA staple at sports matches, particularly in the UK and the US, the humble hot dog is one of the earliest examples of a UPF. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies processed meats, including ham, bacon, and hot dogs, as part of a Group 1 carcinogen, which is known to cause cancer. The NHS says that eating a lot of processed and red meat is linked with an increased risk of bowel cancer. Meanwhile, Lakeview Cardiology of Texas says processed sausages tend to be high in saturated fats, sodium, and chemical preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and hypertension. Sausages, like hot dogs, can be highly processed (Getty Stock) Vegan meat and cheeseVegans love to tell you how healthy they are, and often they're not wrong, as they can follow a more natural diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. However, if they still want the taste of bacon without the guilty conscience, they might have to settle for some ultra-processed options, which aren't exactly the healthiest. These meat substitutes often contain additives and emulsifiers that make plant proteins look and taste as much like meat as possible. According to the British Heart Foundation, vegan meat alternatives are high in added fats, salt, sugar, and artificial ingredients. The same goes for dairy alternatives, like vegan cheese, which is also low in protein and calcium. Vegan meat alternative might not be so healthy after all (Getty stock images) Chicken nuggetsThe go-to meal for a fussy child or a hungover student, we've probably all heard the horror stories about what's actually inside chicken nuggets. While the meat content varies by brand, you're likely to find a combination of tendons, skin, bone, collagen, and fat inside the delicious treat. Protein levels are therefore lower, and the end result is often high in fat, sugar and salt. How they are cooked is also something to consider, as WebMD reports that nuggets are cooked in hydrogenated oil, which is high in fat and preservatives. Nuggets might be tasty but they're rarely healthy (Getty Stock) Reformulated potato snacksThis feels like a fancy way of saying 'crisps', and that's essentially it: many of the salty snacks we love to enjoy alongside our pints contain dehydrated processed potato, refined vegetable oils, rice and wheat flour, emulsifiers, salt and colouring. The National University of Singapore says that a diet high in trans-fat could lead to obesity, heart disease, and liver disease. Regularly consuming fried potato snacks in general, including chips, also increases the chance of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, according to Harvard University researchers. Their study on the BMJ says that 'the high starch content of potatoes, leading to a high glycemic index and load, combined with possible loss of nutrients and possible health risks resulting from various cooking methods, could contribute to adverse health outcomes'. Potato snacks are high in additives and salts (Getty Stock) MargarineThe British Heart Foundation says that butter contains around 50 per cent saturated fat, while margarine is 50 per cent less. However, margarine is high in unsaturated fats as it combines vegetable oils, like sunflower, olive, and rapeseed, with small amounts of oils, such as palm or coconut, to make it solid. Margarine is also considered an ultra-processed food, as extra ingredients, like emulsifiers and artificial colours, are also added. It is important to note that both butter and margarine are processed foods; therefore, it is recommended to check the labels for fat and salt content. Margarine can have a few additional ingredients (Getty Stock) Ready mealsAs previously mentioned, things that are quick and easy to make are rarely going to have good ingredients, and while it's a hammer blow to students and tired workers everywhere, the ready meal is included in that. According to Action on Salt, last year, one in five ready meals contained high levels of salt and saturated fat. "Excess salt consumption is directly linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke," they write. Dr Helen Flaherty, Registered Public Health Nutritionist and Director of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK, told The i Paper in 2024 that regular consumption of ready meals can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Ready meals can be full of fat (Getty stock images) How to cut down on ultra-processed foodWhile there is evidence suggesting the negative impacts of consistently eating ultra-processed foods, the British Heart Foundation says it is still unclear whether we need to cut them out entirely. Plus, according to the NHS, not all processed foods are made equally and looking at food labels can help when it comes to choosing what to eat. The British Heart Foundation also recommends swapping processed versions for healthier options, such as fruit, vegetables, fish, and unsaturated oils. ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.ladbible.com/news/health/doctor-health-warning-smoking-ultra-processed-foods-351011-20260324
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From Seed Oil Scout
What stevia is doing to your hormones
Brought to you by animal., starring Dr. Ken Berry, Dr. Eric Berg, and Dr. Anthony Chaffee
Stevia is everywhere—from electrolyte powders to protein bars to toothpaste.
It’s sold as a plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener, and for many people, it feels like a safe, natural alternative to sugar. But the research tells a more complicated story, especially when you look beyond short-term human trials. We’re breaking it down, and explaining why stevia doesn’t get the SOS stamp of approval.
@reallytanman
What the studies show
Although stevia is generally considered safe by regulatory bodies, a growing body of evidence—particularly from animal and in vitro studies—raises questions about its long-term biological effects.
A 2016 in vitro study found that steviol glycosides disrupted human progesterone receptor function and reduced sperm fertilization capacity (PubMed).
A 2010 study in male rats reported reduced testosterone levels, decreased testicular weight, and structural changes in reproductive tissues following chronic exposure to stevia extract (PubMed).
Additional studies observed decreased fertility and smaller litters in female rats after prolonged stevia intake. (PubMed, PubMed)
While these outcomes haven’t been observed in short-term human trials, most clinical studies to date are limited in duration and often exclude reproductive endpoints altogether.
The takeaway: Stevia appears to have pharmacologic activity. And repeated exposure—not just one-time use—is where the concern lies.
Stevia as birth control
Before it was a fixture in wellness products, stevia was studied for its effect on fertility.
In the 1960s and ’70s, researchers in Paraguay and Brazil reported that female rats given daily doses of stevia extract over several weeks experienced a drop in fertility. Litter sizes shrank. Conception rates fell. When the extract was removed, normal fertility resumed—suggesting the effect was hormonal, not toxic (PubMed).
These were early, well-documented findings. But they’ve rarely resurfaced in the decades since—at least not in ways most consumers would notice.
@jessicagenetics
What you’re eating isn’t the stevia plant
The version used in most products is a purified compound—usually rebaudioside A—processed with solvents or resins. It’s typically blended with erythritol, monk fruit, or sucralose to mask bitterness.
Why that matters: these ingredients are consumed together, often several times a day, across supplements, drinks, and snacks. A 2025 mouse study found that erythritol impaired memory and learning, possibly by disrupting synaptic plasticity. (Journal of Applied Physiology)
Stevia was never fully approved by the FDA
The FDA has never approved whole-leaf stevia or crude stevia extracts for use in food. Instead, it granted GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status to isolated compounds like rebaudioside A, based on short-term studies in healthy adults.
Despite this narrow approval, stevia gained popularity because it was marketed as natural, plant-based, and calorie-free.
Why we don’t approve stevia at SOS
Brands that partner with Seed Oil Scout can earn the Seed Oil Safe stamp to use on their packaging and be listed in our marketplace. But stevia-containing products don’t qualify.
This decision comes from our guiding philosophy: we apply scrutiny to ingredients with questionable safety data, regulatory ambiguity, or a track record of underreported risks—especially when they’re used daily under the assumption of safety.
We built the SOS Grocery Scanner around this principle.
Stevia doesn’t meet our standard. Here’s why:
Hormonal and reproductive effects have been documented in multiple animal studies
Long-term safety data in humans is limited
It’s rarely consumed alone and typically paired with other additives like erythritol or sucralose.
It’s marketed as natural, but chemically refined and far from a whole food
This isn’t about trends—it’s about applying consistent standards to ingredients that haven’t earned our confidence.
Try the SOS Grocery Scanner. It flags more than just seed oils.
Bottomline
Stevia demonstrates biological effects in animal models.
Long-term safety in humans has not been established.
The version used in products is highly processed.
It’s not Seed-Oil Safe. 🫡
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