Ultra-processed foods may be linked to early death

A study across eight countries, including the UK and US, indicates that individuals consuming high amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPF) may face an increased risk of early mortality.

Examples of UPF include processed meats, biscuits, sugary beverages, ice cream, and certain breakfast cereals, which are becoming more prevalent in global diets.

Typically, UPFs feature over five ingredients not commonly found in homemade meals, such as additives, sweeteners, and chemicals aimed at enhancing texture or appearance.

Experts remain uncertain about why UPFs correlate with health issues; evidence suggests it may not be the processing itself, but rather the high levels of fat, sugar, and salt in these foods.

The researchers, whose findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, reviewed past studies to evaluate the effect of UPF consumption on mortality rates.

The study does not directly establish that UPFs cause premature deaths due to various factors, including diet, exercise, lifestyle choices, and socioeconomic status also influencing health outcomes.

Surveys assessing diets and mortality data from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the UK, and the US were analyzed.

The report estimates that in the UK and US, where UPFs constitute over half of caloric intake, 14% of early deaths could be associated with their adverse effects.

In nations like Colombia and Brazil, where UPF consumption is below 20% of calorie intake, the study estimates these foods account for about 4% of premature deaths.

Lead researcher Dr. Eduardo Nilson from Brazil states that UPFs impact health “due to transformations during industrial processing and the addition of synthetic ingredients such as colorants, artificial flavors, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and other additives.”

According to their calculations, in the US in 2018, approximately 124,000 early deaths were attributed to ultra-processed food consumption, with nearly 18,000 in the UK.

The study recommends government dietary guidelines be revised to encourage reduced intake of these foods.

However, the UK government’s nutrition expert panel recently noted a lack of strong evidence linking food processing methods to poor health outcomes.

While a universal definition is elusive, the NOVA classification is frequently referenced. Examples include:

• cakes, pastries, and biscuits
• crisps
• store-bought bread
• processed meats such as sausages, burgers, and hot dogs
• instant soups, noodles, and desserts
• chicken nuggets
• fish fingers
• fruit yogurts and drinks
• margarines and spreads
• baby formula

The statistics from the study are based on modeling the effects of ultra-processed foods on health.

Prof. Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at Open University, expressed caution regarding the implications of the findings due to the numerous mathematical assumptions involved.

“It remains unclear whether the consumption of any UPF poses health risks or which particular aspects of UPFs may be implicated,” he stated.

“This illustrates that no single study can definitively establish whether variations in mortality among individuals with differing UPF consumption are genuinely caused by their UPF intake.

“Such studies do not provide certainty regarding causation.”

Dr. Nerys Astbury, a diet and obesity expert at the University of Oxford, also acknowledges the study’s limitations.

It’s been established for some time that high-energy, high-fat, and high-sugar diets elevate the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart conditions, and certain cancers, leading to premature death.

“Many UPFs are typically rich in these nutrients,” she explains, noting that current studies have yet to definitively prove the adverse effects of UPFs extend beyond “diets high in calorie-dense foods containing significant sugar and fat content.”

Research of this kind does not establish that ultra-processed food consumption is harmful, according to Dr. Stephen Burgess of Cambridge University.

The level of physical fitness may be the primary determinant of health issues. Nevertheless, with numerous studies across multiple countries indicating potential health risks from UPFs, Dr. Burgess posits that “ultra-processed foods could be more than mere bystanders.”

The Food and Drink Federation, representing manufacturers, criticized the label “ultra-processed food,” asserting it unfairly stigmatizes a variety of items that can contribute to a healthy balanced diet, such as yogurt, pasta sauces, and bread.

It emphasized that all additives employed by food manufacturers are approved by the Food Standards Agency, which ensures their safety for consumption.