Laura Martinez
Nutritional epidemiologist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studying the health effects of ultra-processed foods and food policy interventions.
February 24, 2026·10 min read
The Ultra-Processed Food Crisis
Ultra-processed foods — industrial formulations containing ingredients rarely used in home cooking — now account for more than 60% of calories consumed in the United States. Research is accumulating that these foods are associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and even cancer. But the mechanisms are still being debated.
TOPICS
nutritionultra-processed foodhealthdietfood policy


