Study links ultra-processed foods to premature death

STATEN ISLAND, NY — Ultra-processed foods, long-connected to issues like diabetes and high cholesterol, are increasingly being tied to a growing list of serious health problems.

New research led by the University of São Paulo found over 10% of deaths of people between 30 and 69-years-old in Brazil in 2019 were attributed to highly processed foods, for a total of 57,000 premature deaths in the country.

Researchers said the studypublished in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, underscores the need to take specific action to slash the intake of ultra-processed food.

“Consumption of UPFs (ultra-processed foods) is associated with many disease outcomes, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, and other diseases, and it represents a significant cause of preventable and premature deaths among Brazilian adults,” said Dr. Nilson, a nutrition researcher at the University of São Paulo and the study’s lead author, in a release.

“Even reducing consumption of UPFs to the levels of just a decade ago would reduce associated premature deaths by 21%,” said Nilson. “Policies that disincentivize the consumption of UPFs are urgently needed.”

Nilson said that while previous research has sought to understand the health and economic impacts of ingredients like sugars and fats, the new study is believed to be the first to specifically tie items like frozen pizzas, cakes and sodas to premature death.

The research contributes to a growing body of evidence connecting the consumption of ultra-processed foods to issues like colorectal cancer and heart disease.

“Knowing the deaths attributable to the consumption of these foods and modeling how changes in dietary patterns can support more effective food policies might prevent disease and premature deaths,” said Nilson.

After taking a baseline sample from a nationally representative dietary survey, the team of researchers used statistical analyzes to determine the impact of reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods by 10%, 20% and 50% within different groups.

The study found consumption of the highly processed food ranged from 13% to 21% of overall diet, contributing to nearly 22% of the the number of all deaths from preventable noncommunicable diseases for adults between 30 and 69-years-old.

Ultra-processed foods contain higher levels of artificial ingredients and usually have few whole ingredients. They could sometimes have high levels of sodium and sugar, though some examples of ultra-processed foods — like cereal and some breads — could serve as strong sources of fiber.

Researchers believe the impacts of ultra-processed foods in in higher-income countries like the United States and Canada, where the food source typically accounts for a greater proportion of overall dietcould be even higher.

Reducing intake of highly processed foods by 10% to 50%, according to the researchers, could potentially prevent between 5,900 and 29,300 premature deaths in Brazil annually.

By promoting healthier food choices through public health measures and fiscal and regulatory policies, overall trends could be changed, said the study authors. Tools that help estimate deaths attributable to ultra-processed foods could help design and implement improved food policy options.