Professor Saad Al-Shahib, Consultant Nephrologist at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, warned against the dangers of processed and ultra-processed foods, stressing that it is scientifically established that they are the number one enemy of health, due to their association with increased rates of chronic diseases, metabolic disorders, heart and kidney diseases, and several cancers.

Al-Shahib explained, via his account on the X platform, that ultra-processed foods have become part of the daily diet of a wide segment of people, despite the accumulated health damage they cause.

He pointed out that the most prominent of these products include: soft drinks and energy drinks, instant noodles, potato chips, processed meats of all types, packaged sweets, sugary breakfast cereals, packaged white bread, instant soups, processed fats, ice cream and ready-made desserts, sweetened yogurt drinks, fast food, packaged biscuits, cakes and croissants, sweetened juices, and frozen ready meals. He confirmed that scientific studies have linked excessive consumption of these to an increased risk of many chronic diseases.

Al-Shahib stressed that most chronic diseases and cancers can be detected in their early stages when actively searched for, not after symptoms appear, emphasizing that regular check-ups after the age of 40 are no longer an option but a health necessity.

He explained that recent recommendations advise starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for all individuals, after lowering the screening age due to increasing cases among younger age groups, while breast cancer screening for women begins between ages 40 and 45 depending on risk factors.

Al-Shahib called for periodic assessment of kidney health starting from the age of 40, including measurement of blood sugar, blood pressure, and creatinine levels, in addition to the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in urine, due to its pivotal role in early detection of kidney diseases and reducing their complications.

Al-Shahib sent a message to health insurance companies, calling for giving prevention and early screening programs higher priority, stressing that the cost of prevention is much lower than treating complications, and that conducting tests while in good health is a real investment in quality of life and its future.

Professor Al-Shahib warned against excessive consumption of processed sugars, stressing that they are a major gateway to obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, heart and kidney diseases, explaining that their effect begins at the cellular level and accumulates gradually over time.

He added that the risk starts from childhood, noting that soft drinks are at the forefront of sources of added sugar, as a single can may contain about 10 teaspoons of sugar absorbed at once, raising the risks of chronic diseases in the long term.