Further indications of potential negative impacts on health from consuming highly-processed food products
From Processed Foods to Potential Health Hazards:
Research uncovers a troubling link between high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as packaged snacks and soda, and potential harm to one's health. Two recent studies bolster this notion, offering more evidence of the associated cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risks.
Numerous studies have implicated UPFs in the increased risk of various chronic diseases. Some of these conditions include cancer, type 2 diabetes, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and even premature death when consuming processed meats.
One of these studies, published in the BMJ, focuses on the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, while the other examines the risk of all-cause mortality.
Cardiovascular Woes with Processed Eats
Bernard Srour, from the Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center at Sorbonne Paris Cité in France, leads a team investigating the connection between UPF consumption and cardiovascular conditions.
By analyzing data from the NutriNet-Santé study, comprising 105,159 adults, they discovered that for every 10% hike in UPF consumption, the risk of:
- cardiovascular disease increased by 12%
- coronary heart disease increased by 13%
- cerebrovascular disease increased by 11%
Individuals who opted for minimally processed or unprocessed foods, on the other hand, were found to be at a lower risk of developing these cardiovascular diseases.
Processed Foods and Premature Demise
Anaïs Rico-Campà, from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, heads another research focusing on the links between UPF consumption and the risk of mortality from any cause.
Analyzing a total of 19,899 adults, they found that those who consumed more than four servings of UPF each day were 62% more likely to die prematurely compared to those who consumed two servings or fewer. The risk of premature mortality increased by 18% with each additional serving of UPF.
Time for a Change: A Call to Policymakers
Though the findings are based on observational studies, researchers urge public health officials to take steps to encourage the consumption of unprocessed foods. Supporting this, experts from the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University in Geelong, Australia, suggest allocating resources to increasing the availability, affordability, and accessibility of unprocessed or minimally processed foods.
- The study led by Bernard Srour in the Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center found that a higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases by 12%, 13%, and 11% respectively.
- Anaïs Rico-Campà's research at the University of Navarra reveals that adults consuming more than four servings of UPF each day are 62% more likely to die prematurely compared to those consuming two servings or fewer.
- The link between UPF consumption and various chronic diseases, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and premature death from processed meats, has been highlighted by numerous scientific studies.
- In an effort to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of premature mortality, experts recommend encouraging the consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, and advocate for measures that increase their availability, affordability, and accessibility.
- The cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risks associated with ultra-processed foods, such as packaged snacks and soda, emphasize the importance of promoting health-and-wellness practices, fitness-and-exercise, and proper nutrition in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases.
