AI images reveal what Brits could look like in 30 years if our junk food-eating habits continue.
Nearly a third of UK adults are overweight, according to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
That’s fuelled by the country being second to only the US when it comes to consuming ultra-processed food packed with preservatives, sweeteners and artificial colours and flavours.
Highly levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar inside them are partly why more than 5.6million people in the UK are estimated to have diabetes.
A further half a million are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes – associated with a lack of fresh, nutritious food – each year, the NHS warns.
It’s got so bad, costing the NHS more than £10`billion a year, the government has now backed the rollout of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to help the nation get healthy.
‘Michael’, recipe box Gousto’s AI rendering of what we might look like in 2055 if our current eating habits continue, doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
His back is hunched, his belly is bulging, his eyes are yellow, and his droopy face is covered in acne.
Painful sores cover his often-aching swollen legs, and he needs an inhaler to help him breathe, possibly due to a predicted rise in asthma.
‘Michael’ looks miserable, indicative of the higher rates of anxiety and depression linked with ultra-processed food consumption.
What you can’t see are other diet-related symptoms – like poor sleep, fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, poor concentration and stress.
Those will only make the wrinkles on his face even worse.
If this sight startles you, Gousto’s plan has worked. The company is trying to reach to 60% of people in Britain who are unaware of long-term impacts from ultra-processed foods.
Three quarters of people do want to eat healthier, but lack the time and money to do so, Gousto’s study found.
Dr Hilary Jones, known for his daytime TV appearances, has partnered with the Ultra Processed Plates campaign.
He said: ‘Ultra-processed foods aren’t inherently harmful, but when they dominate our diets and replace fresh, nutrient-rich foods, they can increase the risk of long-term health issues like cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and nutrient deficiencies.
‘A balanced diet full of fresh, whole ingredients is essential for preventing chronic conditions and supporting overall health.
‘Scratch cooking is one of the most effective ways to minimise our ultra-processed food intake and maintain a balanced diet.’
As well as raising health awareness, Gousto is also promoting its recipe boxes, which include more than 500 meals with 11% of their ingredients ultra-processed.
CEO and co-founder Timo Boldt said: ‘I believe food is medicine, and the right diet helps us stay healthier for longer.
‘But to truly empower people, we need greater transparency in the food industry and clear standards for classifying ultra-processed foods, so everyone can make better-informed choices for their health.’
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