What is the Nova System?

The Nova System is a categorization method for food processing developed by Dr. Carlos Montero. It classifies all foods into one of four classes based on the extent and type of processing they have undergone:

1. Nova Class 1: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (e.g., an apple picked from a tree).
2. Nova Class 2: Processed culinary ingredients or foods undergoing some processing (e.g., apple slices).
3. Nova Class 3: Processed foods, often with added preservatives or sugar (e.g., apple sauce).
4. Nova Class 4: Ultra-processed foods, which are significantly altered from their original form and may not resemble the original food at all (e.g., McDonald's apple pie).

The system highlights that foods in Nova Class 4, which constitute a major portion of modern grocery stores, are associated with chronic metabolic diseases, while foods in Classes 1 to 3 are generally safer from this perspective 1.