Introduction to Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods — which often contain high levels of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats — are believed to make up over 70% of the US food supply. A new analysis examined data from the US and seven other countries to estimate the percentage of premature, preventable deaths due to the consumption of UPFs like packaged snacks, sugary drinks, processed meats and sweetened breakfast cereals.
What are Ultra-Processed Foods?
Ultra-processed foods — which include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, processed meats and sweetened breakfast cereals — are estimated to make up over 70% of the US food supply. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Study Findings
“We looked at the risk of a person dying from eating more ultra-processed foods between the ages of 30 and 69, a time when it would be premature to die,” study co-author Carlos Augusto Monteiro, emeritus professor of nutrition and public health in the School of Public Health at Brazil’s University of São Paulo, told CNN.
Monteiro’s team found that the risk of early death rises by nearly 3% for every 10% increase in calories from UPFs. The findings were published Monday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Health Risks Associated with UPFs
Prior research has linked UPFs to 32 negative health outcomes, including elevated risks of heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and mental health woes.
Some 124,000 premature US deaths were attributable to UPF consumption in 2018, said Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, lead investigator of the new study.
Fernandes Nilson and his colleagues built a computer model that estimated percentages of UPF-related early deaths based on data from nearly 240,000 people and almost 15,000 deaths.
UPF Consumption Across Countries
UPFs, like the snacks shown here, often contain high levels of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The results ranged from 4% in countries with lower UPF consumption (Colombia) to almost 14% in countries with higher UPF consumption (the UK and US).
The other countries studied were Brazil (low consumption), Chile and Mexico (intermediate) and Australia and Canada (high).
Implications of the Study
“The findings support that ultra-processed food intake contributes significantly to the overall burden of disease in many countries, and its reduction should be included in national dietary guideline recommendations and addressed in public policies,” the researchers wrote in their paper.
However, the study could not determine if the deaths were “caused by UPF consumption,” nutrition scientist Nerys Astbury — an associate professor of diet and obesity at the UK’s University of Oxford who was not involved in the study — pointed out to CNN.
Criticism of the Study
The research also drew criticism from Sarah Gallo — senior vice president of product policy for the Consumer Brands Association, which represents the food industry.
“This is another example of a misleading study that will ultimately lead to consumer confusion. Currently, there is no scientific agreement on the definition of ultra-processed foods,” Gallo told The Post.
“Demonizing convenient, affordable and shelf-ready food and beverage products could limit access to and cause avoidance of nutrient-dense foods, resulting in decreased diet quality, increased risk of food-borne illness and exacerbated health disparities.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study highlights the significant impact of ultra-processed foods on public health, with a substantial proportion of premature deaths attributed to their consumption. While the study’s findings are concerning, they also underscore the need for further research and a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between UPFs and health outcomes.
FAQs
Q: What are ultra-processed foods?
A: Ultra-processed foods are products that contain high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and are often packaged and processed for convenience.
Q: What are the health risks associated with UPFs?
A: UPFs have been linked to 32 negative health outcomes, including heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and mental health woes.
Q: How many premature deaths are attributed to UPF consumption?
A: According to the study, some 124,000 premature US deaths were attributable to UPF consumption in 2018.
Q: What can be done to reduce the impact of UPFs on public health?
A: The researchers suggest that reducing UPF intake should be included in national dietary guideline recommendations and addressed in public policies.
