A new study suggests that high consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be linked to an increased risk of early death, with data drawn from populations in eight countries, including the UK and the US.
Ultra-processed foods are those that are changed a lot from their original form through factory processes. They usually contain artificial flavors, preservatives, and additives, as well as high amounts of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Some examples include, processed meats, biscuits, ready-to-eat meals, soft drinks, etc.
The study looked at people’s diets and data on deaths from eight countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the UK, and the US.
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As per the study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14% of early deaths in the UK and the US could be linked to UPFs. In countries such as Colombia and Brazil, where UPF intake is much lower (less than 20% of calorie intake), the study estimated these foods are linked to around 4% of premature deaths.
According to their findings, ultra-processed foods were responsible for an estimated 124,000 premature deaths in the US in 2018 and nearly 18,000 in the UK.
The study can’t confirm that ultra-processed foods directly caused premature deaths, as diet, exercise, lifestyle, and wealth also play a role in health outcomes.
Lead study author Dr. Eduardo Nilson, from Brazil, said UPFs affected health “because of the changes in the foods during industrial processing and the use of artificial ingredients, including colourants, artificial flavours and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and many other additives and processing aids.”
