In this chapter of the journey through food and health, we return to Northern Europe — Oslo, Norway — to meet two leading voices in the global debate on food processing and the fast-food revolution.
Marit Kolby – Norwegian nutritionist, public health advocate, and best-selling author of What and When Should We Eat
Joanna Blythman – Award-winning British investigative food journalist, known for championing whole foods and home cooking
Together, they reveal the mounting evidence on ultra-processed foods and their impact on our lives. Research now links high consumption of these foods to:
- Increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers
- Digestive disorders like irritable bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease
- Autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis
- Frailty, osteoporosis, and loss of muscle mass in older adults
- Rising cases of anxiety, depression, and mental health disorders
The message is clear: old diet advice like “avoid fat” or “count calories” has misled us. Real health comes from nutrient-dense, whole foods that truly nourish our bodies.