The hidden cost of convenience: How ultra-processed foods may be fueling a Crohn’s disease epidemic A major review finds a diet high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is strongly associated with a significantly higher risk of developing Crohn’s disease, a severe inflammatory bowel condition. The surge in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cases worldwide coincides with the globalization of diets dominated by packaged, ready-to-eat ultra-processed items. UPFs are not just “empty calories.” Evidence suggests additives like emulsifiers and thickeners may actively harm the gut by thinning its protective mucus layer, increasing permeability (“leaky gut”) and promoting a pro-inflammatory microbiome. For those with…

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