Ultra-processed people by Chris van Tulleken – A book review

“Ultra-processed people: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food… and Why Can’t We Stop?” is the latest book by Dr. Chris van Tulleken, a practicing doctor and associate professor at University College London.

In the book, Dr van Tulleken presents and supports his thesis with a wealth of well-documented scientific evidence. He establishes a compelling causal link between the so-called ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and a range of chronic health conditions, including heart diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, mental illness, and premature death. Moreover, he confronts the structural issues within our economic, scientific, and political systems that underpin the central questions posed in the book’s title:

“Why do we all eat stuff that isn’t food?” Dr. van Tulleken explains how UPFs have bypassed legal and scientific safeguards to infiltrate our food systems, displacing traditional diets.

“And why can’t we stop?” He explores how corporations, driven by profit, use manipulative marketing tactics and addictive product designs to foster dependency on these foods.

Beyond its scientific insights, the book is a thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s relationship with food. It delves into the social role of food, our shared responsibility for the planet, and the intimate connections between what we consume and the world we inhabit.

Dr. van Tulleken’s extraordinary talent for storytelling and simplifying complex scientific concepts makes this book accessible to the general reader. His approach is deeply compassionate, and three philosophical perspectives stood out to me:

• The “arms race” analogy: Drawing on his background in molecular virology, Dr. van Tulleken likens the development of the ultra-processed food industry to an arms race, where corporations compete for limited resources—money, health, and time—often targeting society’s most vulnerable. This helps explain why young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected by UPFs and why breaking free from these foods can be incredibly challenging.
• Respect for individual agency: Dr. van Tulleken consciously avoids prescribing authoritative advice. In interviews, he consistently emphasises that he never tells people what to eat. Instead, he invites readers to make their own choices while engaging with the book, empowering them to decide what is best for themselves. This reflects his empathy for individuals navigating a system heavily influenced by corporate interests and compromised science.
• A global scientific experiment without consent: Dr. van Tulleken argues that we are all participants in an unconsented experiment, as the long-term effects of the chemicals in UPFs remain largely unknown. His book is a rallying cry for greater transparency and the public’s right to make informed choices about their diets.

As a reader, I found the book both enlightening and transformative. Ultra-Processed People offered countless “aha” moments as it debunked myths and challenged ingrained assumptions about food and nutrition. It arrived at a pivotal time in my life when I was ready to question long-held beliefs and seek truth in the world around me, making it a profoundly personal experience.

As a PhD student, I deeply appreciated the book’s scientific rigor. Dr. van Tulleken sheds light on the dual role of science in society: as a tool for progress and a battleground for trust amidst conflicts of interest. His examination of how corporate influence undermines scientific integrity and public trust resonated with me, highlighting the challenges of navigating today’s information landscape.

In summary, Ultra-Processed People is not just an exposé of the food industry but also a call to rethink our relationship with food, health, and science. It is one of the most impactful books I have read in years.