A new study across eight countries reveals that higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) is significantly linked to increased premature deaths, with each 10% rise in UPF’s share of total energy intake raising all-cause mortality risk by 3%. The findings highlight the urgent need for global policies promoting healthier, minimally processed diets to protect public health.
Researchers analyzed data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality data from eight countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United Kingdom, and United States. The study found that in high-UPF countries like the U.S., nearly 14% of premature deaths are linked to UPF consumption. This suggests a significant burden on public health, with an estimated 124,000 premature deaths attributed to UPF intake in the United States alone.
Lead investigator Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson notes that UPFs affect health beyond individual nutrient content due to industrial processing and artificial additives. The study modeled data to link dietary patterns to deaths from all causes, providing a comprehensive estimate of the impact of industrial food processing on health.
High consumption of UPFs has been associated with various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, some types of cancer, and depression. The study’s findings underscore the need for global action to reduce UPF consumption, supported by regulatory and fiscal policies that foster healthier environments.
The study’s authors emphasize that addressing UPF consumption should be a global public nutrition priority, with policies promoting traditional dietary patterns based on local fresh and minimally processed foods.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/ultraprocessed-foods-mortality-28663