Cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the Salt/Sugar Initiative, Dr Dele Ogunko, has issued a strong warning about the dangers of processed foods, stating that they are a leading cause of serious health issues, including cancer and fatty liver disease.
Speaking about the risks associated with unhealthy dietary choices, Ogunko emphasised the difference between organic and processed oils, saying, “Organic oil, that’s what we need because it’s not being processed. What is killing us is processed food.
Dr Ogunko explained that processed foods contain “harmful chemicals”, many of which are carcinogenic.
“All the beverages are processed, in the sense that all sorts of chemicals are added and these chemicals can be carcinogenic, I mean, causing cancer.” He added.
He also pointed out the deceptive labelling practices of the food industry, stating that many products claim to have “no added sugar” while still containing harmful sweeteners.
Another primary concern Dr Ogunko highlighted is high fructose in many processed foods, which he said can be converted in your liver to fatty liver disease. This condition, known as “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease”, is a growing health crisis linked to excessive sugar consumption.
Ogunko also criticised food industries for prioritising profits over public health and called for stricter regulations and public awareness to combat the dangers of processed foods and their impact on long-term health.
He urged individuals to prioritise organic, unprocessed foods to maintain good health and encouraged people to be mindful of their food and avoid products loaded with artificial ingredients and preservatives.
