Abstract:

The modern food landscape, often termed the "toxic food environment," is characterized by an overwhelming presence of high-calorie, low-nutrient, ultra-processed foods. These foods, chemically engineered to be hyperstimulating, pose significant health risks, especially to vulnerable populations such as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) with low socio-economic status. Research indicates a global nutrition transition, with developing countries facing a rising pandemic of obesity, largely attributed to such obesogenic environments (Popkin, Adair, & Ng, 2012). Furthermore, the accessibility and affordability of these ultra-processed foods have been linked to escalating health disparities (Monteiro et al., 2019). One of the underlying challenges is the addictive potential of hyperpalatable foods, which can trigger responses similar to drug addiction (Gearhardt et al., 2011). As a countermeasure, this paper proposes a multimodal generative AI application designed to identify ultra-processed foods and suggest healthier, anti-angiogenic alternatives. Anti-angiogenic foods, known to inhibit the growth of blood vessels that feed tumors, offer a promising avenue for dietary cancer prevention (Li et al., 2012). By leveraging technology, this initiative aims to empower individuals, particularly those in BIPOC communities, to make informed dietary choices, combatting the pervasive influence of the toxic food environment.

Keywords:

Food, education, diet, technology, AI, empowerment, ultra-process food, nutrition.