Diet and Nutrition
New Study Finds Ultraprocessed Foods Contribute to Negative Health Outcomes
Ultraprocessed foods have been found to contribute to more than 30 damaging health outcomes, according to a new ‘mega-review’ study. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the impact of these foods on not just weight, but also on the brain and gut microbiome.
Ultraprocessed foods are characterized by high amounts of added sugars, saturated fat, salt, artificial colors, and flavors, but little to no vitamins, minerals, or fiber.
Key Findings
The study revealed that high consumption of ultraprocessed foods increases the risk of being overweight or obese, developing heart disease, certain cancers, mental health disorders, and premature death. However, the evidence for these connections is not considered rock solid due to the observational nature of most studies on ultraprocessed foods. Conducting randomized controlled trials, which are the gold standard of scientific research, comparing highly processed diets to whole food diets would be unethical.
To better understand the risks, future research should focus on how ultraprocessed foods affect the immune system and gut microbiome, rather than just weight, according to experts.
The study found that consuming more ultraprocessed foods is associated with an increased risk of 32 negative health outcomes, including cancer, major heart and lung conditions, mental health disorders, and early death. The lead author of the study, Melissa Lane, PhD, emphasized the need for public health strategies to reduce the consumption of ultraprocessed foods and the importance of further research to understand their potential negative impact on health.
Prevalence of Ultraprocessed Foods
Ultraprocessed foods, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, packaged baked goods, snacks, sugary cereals, and ready-to-eat or microwave products, make up nearly 60 percent of the calories consumed in a Western diet. In wealthier countries, these foods can account for up to 58 percent of daily calorie consumption.
While numerous studies have examined the effects of highly processed foods on health, this mega-review is the first comprehensive analysis of all the evidence accumulated since 2009, when the concept of ultraprocessed foods was introduced in research. The review included 45 distinct population studies and clinical trials.
