- In recent years, dozens of studies have found that people who eat more ultra-processed foods have higher rates of weight gain, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
- Now, an international team of researchers has undertaken a comprehensive review of the evidence on adverse health effects to date, identifying 45 'pooled findings' from 14 review papers covering approximately 10 million people. A meta-analysis was conducted. All were published in the past three years, and none received funding from companies that produce ultra-processed foods.
- The researchers' findings, published in the British medical journal BMJ, “show that diets high in ultra-processed foods can be harmful to many body systems.”
- Researchers found that high intake of ultra-processed foods increased the risk of cardiovascular disease-related death by about 50 percent, increased the risk of anxiety and common mental disorders by 48 to 53 percent, and increased the risk of heart disease. It found “compelling evidence” of a 12 percent increase. Type 2 diabetes.
- They also found that diets high in ultra-processed foods were associated with a 21% higher risk of death from all causes and a 40% to 66% higher risk of heart disease-related death, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and sleep problems. Suggestive evidence is also presented. , the risk of depression increases by 22 percent.
What are ultra-processed foods?
Ultra-processed foods such as frozen dinners, sugary cereals, potato chips and fast food account for up to 58% of America's total daily energy intake, researchers say.
Weak regulatory standards and industry power are even allowing ultra-processed foods like Lunchables to appear on school menus, the Washington Post reported.
In an editorial published alongside the BMJ study, an international group of academics argued that ultra-processed foods are “more than just processed foods.” They typically contain “little whole foods” and are made from cheap, chemically processed ingredients such as modified starches, sugars and fats, the researchers wrote.
“There is no reason to believe that humans will be fully adapted to these products,” they added, calling on UN agencies and member states to develop a framework on ultra-processed foods similar to the Convention on Tobacco Control.
In the United States, dietary guidelines may warn against ultra-processed foods, according to federal guidelines. The committee reviews the science on potential health risks, including obesity-related diseases.
Researchers say observational studies alone cannot prove that ultra-processed foods cause health problems, and more research is needed.
Claire Collins, a nutrition expert at the University of Newcastle in Australia, says intervention studies and clinical trials (testing potential drugs or activities on people) are not recommended because it is unethical to feed humans. pointed out that it doesn't work. They eat ultra-processed foods every day and are “waiting to get sick and die.”
Another option is to replace ultra-processed foods with healthy options and see if your symptoms improve.
“The bulk of the evidence in this review would suggest that there is no harm in replacing Pop-Tarts with wholemeal toast,” University of Queensland researcher Helen Truby said.
