An international research team has determined that ultra-processed foods are associated with a higher risk of premature death, but not all in the same way. Here are the ones to avoid or significantly limit according to the experts.
THE ultra-processed foods are associated with a higher risk of premature death, as highlighted by various studies, but not all in the same way. There are some like them processed meats (cold cuts, frankfurters, hamburgers and the like), le sugary drinks and those artificially sweetened which determine higher probabilities than for example wholemeal bread, breakfast cereals and dairy-based desserts. This is what emerged from new research that investigated the association between mortality for all causes and specific causes (such as cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory and neurodegenerative diseases) and the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Recently an international study led by Australian scientists from Deakin University showed that these super-processed foods – often junk food or junk food – are associated with 32 adverse health effects and an increased risk of premature death overall 21 percent.
An international research team led by US scientists from the TH Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University, who collaborated closely with colleagues, determined that some ultra-processed foods are associated with a higher mortality risk than others. of many institutes around the world. Among those involved are the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (Brazil), the Nanjing Medical University (China), the University of Nevada, the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and others. The researchers, coordinated by Professor Mingyang Song, professor at the Department of Epidemiology of the American university, reached their conclusions after conducting a statistical investigation using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Two cohorts were involved in the population-based study, composed of US nurses and other healthcare workers involved in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Overall, data from 75,000 women and 40,000 men who at baseline – that is, at the start of the study – had no history of cancer, cardiovascular disease or diabetes were analyzed. Participants were subjected to food questionnaires every four years to learn about their dining habits.
During the follow-up period, which lasted over 30 years, approximately 30,000 deaths occurred among women and 18,000 among men. Professor Song and colleagues associated the deaths with the participants’ eating habits, bringing out associations with ultra-processed foods. Those who consumed more had a higher risk of premature death 4 percent for all causes and of 9 percent for cancer and cardiovascular diseases compared to those who consumed less. As indicated, processed meats, sugary drinks, and artificially sweetened drinks had a stronger association than other products super worked. Specifically, hazard ratios ranged from 1.06 to 1.43 for processed meats; from 1.07 to 1.12 for sugary drinks; from 1.04 to 1.10 for i dairy-based desserts; and 1.02 to 1.07 for breakfast cereals. On average, those who consumed more ultra-processed foods ate more often than others (average of seven portions versus an average of three).
Ultra-processed foods linked to 32 harmful effects: risk of death increased by 21% in one study
The authors of the study underline that it was an observational study, therefore no cause-effect relationships can emerge between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and mortality, however these are significant statistical associations. Professor Song and colleagues specify that the most important aspect to consider is the diet as a whole, not the fact of consuming ultra-processed foods occasionally and in moderation, some of which can also have benefits. “Cereals and wholemeal bread, for example, are also considered ultra-processed foods, but they contain various beneficial nutrients such as fibre, vitamins and minerals,” Professor Song told CNN. “On the other hand, I think people should try to avoid or limit the consumption of some ultra-processed foods, such as processed meats, sugary drinks and even potentially artificially sweetened drinks,” the expert commented.
Recent research has shown that emulsifiers in ultra-processed foods are associated with a higher risk of diabetes and that pregnant women they should especially avoid those packaged in plastic. Furthermore, these products can be as addictive as a drug. The details of the research “Association of ultra-processed food consumption with all causes and cause specific mortality: population based cohort study” were published in the scientific journal The British Medical Journal (BMJ).
