A large analysis involving nearly 8.8 million adults has found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with increased risks of several chronic health conditions.
The study, published in Family Medicine and Community Health on September 22, examined data from research conducted across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Participants were followed for periods ranging from two to 32 years.
Researchers found that every additional 100 grams of ultra-processed food consumed per day was associated with a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events. The same increase was associated with a 4% higher risk of cancer, a 3% higher risk of death from any cause and a 2% higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
Ultra-processed foods generally include products that undergo extensive industrial processing and contain various additives. Examples can include sugary drinks, processed meats, packaged snacks, candy and other ready-to-eat products.
The analysis also found that people with the highest levels of ultra-processed food consumption had higher risks of digestive diseases, depression or anxiety, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular events compared with those consuming the least.
The researchers noted that the findings show associations between ultra-processed food intake and health outcomes and do not by themselves establish that the foods directly caused the diseases.
They suggested that reducing ultra-processed food consumption and replacing some of these products with minimally processed alternatives could be relevant to chronic disease prevention and healthcare management.
The findings add to ongoing research examining how the growing presence of highly processed foods in everyday diets may affect long-term health.