Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods has been found to increase risk of several health problems and even death, according to a major new study. A team of researchers from China, Singapore, South Korea and India gathered data from almost 9 million participants and found that those who ate more ultra-processed foods were at greater risk of conditions including cancer, obesity, diabetes and all-cause mortality. They even found that small changes in ultra-processed food consumption resulted in notable increases in risk for certain health conditions.
The study was published in the journal Family Medicine and Community Health on September 22. Ultra-processed foods have chemical-based preservatives, emulsifiers like hydrogenated oils, sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, and artificial colors and flavors—things that aren't usually found in a kitchen and are added as part of extensive processing. They include things like sodas, prepackaged snacks such as chips, cookies, crackers, candy, boxed macaroni and cheese, frozen and ready-to-eat meals, lunch meats, jerky, and hot dogs.
Across 51 prospective cohort studies, conducted in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, with a total of 8,819,894 participants, the researchers found that higher ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a higher risk of several health conditions. They also investigated whether changing ultra-processed food consumption was associated with changes in risk. They discovered that for every additional 100 grams of the food group consumed a day, the following conditions increased in risk: The researchers also found that every 10 percent increase in energy intake was associated with a 16 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
However, the researchers emphasized the findings show associations between the mentioned health risks and ultra-processed food consumption, but do not prove the food group causes the conditions. Ultra-processed foods represent more than 50 percent of daily calorific intake for many individuals, Maya Vadiveloo, a professor of nutrition at the University of Rhode Island, told Newsweek, adding that when people consume such a large percentage of energy from "less healthy foods, it is concordant with dietary patterns that increase chronic disease risk." At the same time, she said "it's likely that high consumption of these less healthy foods is associated with lower consumption of foods emphasized in the [American Heart Association] dietary guidance that are associated with chronic disease prevention." The findings are "largely consistent with prior prospective cohorts and meta analyses which show an adverse association between total ultra-processed food intake and multiple health outcomes," Vadiveloo said. Although, she added that this was with "generally low evidence certainty, much of it due to heterogeneity within the ultra-processed food category and limitations with diet assessment." Dr.
Fang Fang Zhang, a professor of nutritional epidemiology and data science at Tufts University, told Newsweek she would also be "cautious in interpreting findings" for cancer, as while "a growing number of studies have examined ultra-processed food consumption in relation to cancer risk, the findings have been less consistent across studies." She also said she was concerned with "the completeness of the evidence included in this systematic review," as several studies that "specifically examined ultra-processed food consumption and breast cancer risk, including PLCO, NutriNet-Santé, UK Biobank, NIH-AARP, and EPIC studies" were not included. Also, while there is a significant body of research finding an association between these foods and negative health outcomes, some studies have questioned the relationship. For example, a recent study, published in the journal Advances in Nutrition, said that associations between ultra-processed foods and negative health impacts are "weak and inconsistent." Ultra-processed foods have been linked with various health conditions in previous studies, although how they impact health exactly remains uncertain.
Some theories include that diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, as well as higher intake of contaminants, macronutrient content and energy intake. They are also known to be highly palatable, while causing blood sugar swings, increasing people's want for those foods. Higher ultra-processed food intake is associated with a higher risk of obesity as well, Kristina Petersen, a professor of nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University, told Newsweek, adding obesity is "associated with increased risk of a wide range of adverse health outcomes." Diets high in ultra-processed foods can also mean a person is lacking key nutrients in their diet, which can lead to deficiencies and disrupt the gut microbiome and the gut lining.
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