Hanno Pijl about the food industry
The concern of scientists is growing steadily. More and more people suffer from diseases such as diabetes or dementia, with poor nutrition being the root cause. The number of people under 50 years of age with diabetes has increased by 80% over the past 30 years. In 2030, this is projected to increase by another 21% if urgent measures are not taken, as evidenced by extensive research conducted in collaboration with 204 countries. Poor eating habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy eating, are among the primary causes of these diseases.
Professor of diabetology Hanno Pijl from Leiden University Medical Center does not find the issue of unhealthy nutrition surprising. In the Netherlands, ultra-processed food has been produced for many years. Ultra-processed food is food to which various additives have been added, including emulsifiers, flavorings, and colorings, which make the food unhealthy. Consuming ultra-processed food is not harmful when done in moderation. However, as this type of food is consumed more frequently, it can lead to more diseases.
As passionate and professional as Professor Hanno Pijl speaks about ultra-processed food, as curious is TV doctor and scientist Chris Tulleken from the British broadcaster BBC. In 2021, Tulleken decided to participate in a scientifically guided experiment. The doctor followed a diet for four weeks in which 80% of his food consisted of ultra-processed food. This resulted in many health problems, and the scientist also gained 6.5 kilograms.
Both the Leiden professor and the TV doctor point to the government and the food industry as responsible parties. According to Professor Hanno Pijl, it's a two-way relationship, as people are increasingly seeking convenience and have little time. This results in the industry producing ready-made products because they are quite popular. The problem of poor nutrition is particularly prevalent among a population group with low incomes. Healthy food becomes more expensive, making unhealthy food the type of food that people can afford. It is of great importance to place health warnings on products, according to the Leiden professor.