Highly processed foods are linked to early death, a new study finds

[The NZA]

Highly processed foods are linked to early death, a new study finds
 

A growing body of evidence suggests that consuming too much highly processed food — items like hot dogs, chips, soda and ice cream — can have consequences beyond obesity and high cholesterol.

A study published Monday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimated that in 2019, the deaths of around 57,000 Brazilian people between the ages of 30 and 69 were attributable to the consumption of ultra-processed food. That amounts to more than 10% of annual premature deaths in Brazil among that age group.

The authors say their study is the first to estimate the impact of ultra-processed food on the risk of early death.

 

The study used calculations from a

previous analysis, which compared the relative mortality risk of people who consumed large amounts of processed food to those who ate relatively little of it. The authors applied that model to Brazil's population and level of ultra-processed food consumption. From there, they estimated the number of premature deaths that might have been prevented if people between the ages of 30 and 69 had eaten less of that type of food. The researchers focused on this age group because the World Health Organization considers death from noncommunicable disease to be premature at those ages.

Eduardo Nilson, a nutrition researcher at the University of São Paulo and the study's lead author, said he believes "it is very likely that heart disease is among the main factors" contributing to these premature deaths. Diabetes, cancer, obesity and chronic kidney disease may play a role as well, he said.

Foods that are "ultra-processed" contain more artificial ingredients than those that just have added salt, sugar or oil. They usually have very few whole ingredients and contain flavorings, colorings or other additives. Instant noodles, frozen pizza and store-bought cookies typically fall within this category.

 

In the U.S., ultra-processed food makes up

around 57% of daily calories, on average. Based on that, Nilson believes the U.S. could expect even more premature deaths associated with this type of food.

Many previous studies have linked ultra-processed food to other negative health outcomes, including a higher risk for diabetes, cognitive decline, heart disease and cancer. An August study found that people in Italy who consumed ultra-processed food in large quantities had a higher overall risk of death.