And finally, how important do you think it is to raise awareness of UPFs?

I think the more awareness we raise the better, because awareness and interest provokes more research. There is ongoing research which has potentially linked some emulsifiers with IBD, so we need to take a proper look at everything we’re eating. Only time will tell what these relatively new substances are doing to us.

It’s important to pay attention to diet, because it’s one of the major factors that decides our health; what you are eating can influence everything from your mood to your immune system. This is especially important for gut health, because most of the foods that will feed your good gut bacteria are naturally non-UPF.

Ultimately, we should all aim to eat a primarily whole-food diet, and then accessorise with UPFs when convenience deems them necessary, or we want to have a treat. That way, we can enjoy those non-nutritious or less-nutritious UPFs more mindfully.

How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed: Your 30-Day Plan To Transform Your Eating Habits by Nichola Ludlam-Raine is available to pre-order now.

Are UPFs always bad for us? How to navigate the murky world of ultra-processed foods, according to a dietitian