A recent study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, has highlighted a disturbing trend linking the consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) to a significant rise in premature deaths across eight countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The research reveals that as the share of UPFs in individuals' total energy intake increases, so does the risk of dying prematurely.
This study, which analyzes data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality statistics, stresses the urgent need for global action to reduce UPF consumption. The authors advocate for regulatory and fiscal policies that encourage healthier food environments, aiming to curb the prevalence of these foods.
Ultraprocessed foods are industrially manufactured products that are ready-to-eat or heat and are made with ingredients extracted from foods or synthesised in laboratories. These foods typically contain little to no whole foods in their composition and have gradually replaced traditional, fresh, and minimally processed meals.
Lead investigator Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, DSc, from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil, explains that the health impact of UPFs extends beyond the high content of harmful nutrients such as sodium, trans fats, and sugar.
He notes that the industrial processing of these foods, which often involves artificial ingredients like colorants, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and other additives, significantly alters their nutritional profile. Assessing the deaths linked to UPF consumption provides a comprehensive view of the overall impact of food processing on health.
Unlike previous studies that focused on specific dietary risk factors, this study modeled data from multiple countries and linked dietary patterns, including the extent and purpose of industrial food processing, to premature deaths from all causes.
The results showed that high consumption of UPFs is associated with 32 different diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, and depression.
For the first time, this study has quantified the impact of UPF intake on premature mortality across different countries, revealing that the attributable mortality is significant in every nation studied. The researchers argue that addressing the global rise in UPF consumption should be a priority for public health, as the evidence of its harmful effects is clear and widespread.
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