Ultra-processed grain foods are responsible for chronic illness in America: US MAHA Commission
Excessive ultra-processed foods consumption has resulted in a depletion of essential micronutrients and dietary fiber while increasing the intake of sugars and carbohydrates, adversely impacting overall health.
USA – While grain-based foods are a staple of American nutrition, the White House’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report identifies ultra-processed grains as significant contributors to chronic diseases in American children.
Released on May 22, the report derives from a February executive order by President Donald Trump that established the MAHA Commission.
This group, composed of top administration officials, is tasked with addressing what the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has termed a “childhood chronic disease crisis” in the United States.
Plans include formulating a strategy to “make our children healthy again” based on the report’s findings within 180 days of the order.
The commission highlights ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a major contributor to poor health outcomes among children in the US.
It points out that ultra-processed grains, sugars, and fats lead to nutrient depletion, increased caloric intake, and greater consumption of food additives, while children are increasingly neglecting whole foods crucial for their health.
The MAHA report indicates that most American children’s diets are dominated by UPFs that are high in added sugars, chemical additives, and saturated fats, yet lack sufficient fruits and vegetables.
This contemporary diet is linked to various chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
The report also notes that research shows UPFs make up about 70% of the 300,000+ branded food products in grocery stores, account for half of the calories consumed by Americans (and nearly 70% for children), and represent more than half of the diets of pregnant and postpartum women.
Ultra-processed grains, sugars, and fats constitute over two-thirds of all calories consumed by American children. The ultra-processing of these ingredients displaces nutrient-dense whole foods, resulting in a loss of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients necessary for optimal biological function.
The processing of grains removes the bran and germ, stripping away essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
This removal can lead to rapidspikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and and harm the gut microbiome.
Additionally, the commission emphasizes the impact of ultra-processed grains, sugars, and fats due to the “industrial processing” involved in UPF production. This processing results in considerable changes in fiber, protein, caloric density, and digestibility, which contribute to chronic disease.
Research suggests that these alterations may disrupt brain reward pathways and satiety hormones, resulting in faster eating and weakened gut fullness signals, according to the report.
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