Ultra-processed foods are viewed as no more appealing than less processed foods, research has found.
A University of Bristol study compared the taste perception of different food types to test the theory that calories and level of processing are key factors influencing how much we like and desire food.
The study’s lead author, Prof Peter Rogers, said the results “challenge the assumption that ultra-processed foods are ‘hyperpalatable’, and it seems odd that this has not been directly tested before”.
The whole idea’s made up bollocks meant to launch a few TED talks, no more than that.
Tofu is an ultraprocessed food.
Hyperpalatable? Umm, NO!
This is a variant on the packaging illusion. Some people think the eeevil packaging companies are trying to use as much packaging as possible. In fact, since materials have a cost, packaging tries to limit the amount of raw material, consistent with the minimum protective requirement.
Likewise processing has a cost, especially energy. So the less processing the better, consistent with making something nice to eat.
People eat ‘ultraprocessed food’ not because it tastes better but because its more expensive – in time. The thing we’re all, rich and poor, short on.
No one’s going to say a can of Chef Boyardi is going to taste better, but its 5 minutes to prepare, half of which is waiting for the microwave to finish, compared to the time it takes to make sauce and pasta.
Dan Olson’s got a good segment in a video on this
https://youtu.be/V-a9VDIbZCU?t=727
@Agammamon
+1
Also, great video. Thanks
“Study shows…” For shame.
“Participants in the study, made up of 224 adult volunteers, were presented with colour images of 24 to 32 familiar foods…The volunteers were then asked to rate the foods for taste pleasantness (liking), desire to eat, sweetness and saltiness, while imagining tasting them.”
What?
Food companies would have long ago realised if there were no scope to increase the palatability of processed food, yet continue to spend large sums pursuing it. Food scientists are a thing, and they are not there for your health. I suspect they know rather more about the subject than this shower.
You’re right about the time factor Agammamon. That’s why I cook up large stockpots of my Rubbish Bin Stew.
It’s reasonably edible and it takes me much less time than trying to separately cook each meal.