As you add more ultraprocessed foods to your diet, your risk of a premature death from any cause rises, according to a new meta-analysis of research involving more than 240,000 people. “We looked at the risk of a person dying from eating more ultraprocessed foods between the ages of 30 and 69, a time when it would be premature to die,” said study coauthor Carlos Augusto Monteiro, emeritus professor of nutrition and public health in the School of Public Health at Brazil’s University of São Paulo. “We found that for each 10% increase in total calories from ultraprocessed foods, the risk of dying prematurely rose by nearly 3%,” said Monteiro, who coined the term “ultraprocessed” in 2009 when he developed NOVA, a system of classifying foods into four groups by their level of processing. Group one of the NOVA system is unprocessed or minimally processed foods in their natural state, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, milk and eggs. Group two includes culinary ingredients such as salt, herbs and oils. Group three consists of processed foods that combine groups one and two — canned goods and frozen vegetables are examples. Group four includes ultraprocessed foods. By Monteiro’s definition, ultraprocessed foods contain little to no whole food. Instead, they are manufactured from “chemically manipulated cheap ingredients” and often use “synthetic additives to make them edible, palatable and habit-forming.” “No reason exists to believe that humans can fully adapt to these products,” Monteiro cowrote in a 2024 editorial in the journal The BMJ. “The body may react to them as useless or harmful, so its systems may become impaired or damaged, depending on their vulnerability and the amount of ultra-processed food consumed.” But the new study is misleading and will lead to consumer confusion, said Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of product policy for the Consumer Brands Association, which represents the food industry. “Demonizing convenient, affordable and shelf ready food and beverage products could limit access to and cause avoidance of nutrient dense foods,” Gallo said in an email, “resulting in decreased diet quality, increased risk of food-borne illness and exacerbated health disparities.” Just a serving a day matters, studies say This study is not the first to find an association between negative health outcomes and small increases in ultraprocessed food. A February 2024 study found “strong” evidence that people who ate more ultraprocessed food had a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular disease-related death and common mental disorders. Higher intake of ultraprocessed foods might also increase the risk of anxiety by up to 53%, obesity by 55%, sleep disorders by 41%, development of type 2 diabetes by 40% and the risk of depression or an early death from any cause by 20%. Researchers in the February study defined a higher intake as one serving or about 10% more ultraprocessed foods per day. A May 2024 study found that adding just 10% of ultraprocessed food to an otherwise healthy diet may also increase the risk of cognitive decline and stroke, while 2023 research determined that including 10% more ultraprocessed foods was linked to a greater chance of developing cancers of the upper digestive tract. It’s estimated that as much as 70% of the US food supply is ultraprocessed. “Two-thirds of the calories children consume in the US are ultraprocessed, while about 60% of adult diets are ultraprocessed,” Fang Fang Zhang, associate professor and chair of the division of nutrition epidemiology and data science at Tufts University in Boston, told CNN in an earlier interview. Zhang was not involved in the new research. A global estimate of preventable deaths The latest study, published Monday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, took an additional step by estimating how many deaths might be prevented in eight countries with low, medium and high consumption of ultraprocessed foods. “Premature preventable deaths due to the consumption of UPFs can vary from 4% in countries with lower UPF consumption to almost 14% in countries with the highest UPF consumption,” lead study author Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, a researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, said in a statement. However, it’s important to note that the study was unable to determine if the deaths were “caused by UPF consumption. The methods of this study simply cannot determine this,” said nutrition scientist Nerys Astbury, an associate professor of diet and obesity at the UK’s University of Oxford, in a statement. He was not involved in the study. The United States has the highest level of ultraprocessed food consumption in the world — nearly 55% of the average American’s diet, according to the study. Researchers estimated reducing the use of those ultraprocessed foods to zero would have prevented over 124,000 deaths in the US in 2017. In countries where consumption of ultraprocessed foods is low, such as Colombia (15% of the diet) and Brazil (17.4%), reducing the use to zero would have prevented nearly 3,000 deaths in the former country in 2015 and 25,000 deaths in the latter in 2017, according to the study. “The authors set the theoretical minimal risk level to be 0. This implies a scenario where all UPFs are eliminated, which is highly unrealistic and nearly impossible in our current society,” Zhang said in an email. “As a result, the estimated burden of pre-mature death due to UPFs could be overestimated.” Stephen Burgess, a statistician in the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the UK’s University of Cambridge, said that while the study cannot prove the consumption of ultraprocessed foods is harmful, “it does provide evidence linking consumption with poorer health outcomes.” “It is possible that the true causal risk factor is not ultraprocessed foods, but a related risk factor such as better physical fitness — and ultraprocessed foods is simply an innocent bystander,” said Burgess, who was not involved in the study, in a statement. “But, when we see these associations replicated across many countries and cultures, it raises suspicion that ultraprocessed foods may be more than a bystander.”
Your chance of an early death rises with every bite of ultraprocessed food, study says
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Study Links Increased Ultraprocessed Food Intake to Higher Risk of Premature Death"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
A recent meta-analysis involving over 240,000 participants has revealed a concerning correlation between the consumption of ultraprocessed foods and an increased risk of premature death. The study, coauthored by Carlos Augusto Monteiro, a prominent nutrition and public health professor at the University of São Paulo, indicates that for every 10% increase in caloric intake from ultraprocessed foods, the risk of dying prematurely rises by nearly 3%. Monteiro, who introduced the term 'ultraprocessed' in 2009, categorizes foods based on their processing levels, with ultraprocessed foods being primarily made from chemically altered ingredients and synthetic additives. He warns that the human body may struggle to adapt to these products, potentially leading to health impairments. This concern is echoed by various studies linking ultraprocessed food consumption to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, obesity, and cognitive decline, underscoring the growing body of evidence highlighting the negative health impacts associated with these foods.
The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, also estimated the potential number of preventable deaths associated with ultraprocessed food consumption across different countries. Findings suggest that countries with high ultraprocessed food consumption could see up to 14% of premature deaths attributed to these foods, while those with lower consumption rates could see rates as low as 4%. In the United States, where ultraprocessed foods make up nearly 55% of the average diet, it is estimated that eliminating these foods could have prevented over 124,000 deaths in 2017 alone. However, some experts caution that the study's methodology does not definitively prove that ultraprocessed foods are the direct cause of these deaths, highlighting a need for further research to clarify the relationship between ultraprocessed food consumption and overall health outcomes. Despite these discussions, the prevalence of ultraprocessed foods in American diets—where two-thirds of children's caloric intake comes from such products—remains a significant public health concern.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents alarming findings regarding ultraprocessed foods and their association with an increased risk of premature death. By examining a meta-analysis of research including over 240,000 individuals, the study highlights how even small increments in ultraprocessed food consumption can lead to significant health risks. The commentary from experts, including the study coauthor Carlos Augusto Monteiro, provides a framework for understanding the classification of food based on processing levels. However, it also faces criticism from industry representatives who argue that the framing may mislead consumers.
Purpose Behind Publication
The article aims to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with ultraprocessed foods, encouraging readers to reconsider their dietary choices. By presenting statistical data, it seeks to inform the public about the correlation between diet and premature mortality, potentially influencing consumer behavior towards healthier food options.
Public Perception
This news piece is likely to create a sense of urgency and concern among the public regarding dietary habits. It reinforces the idea that ultraprocessed foods are detrimental to health, which may lead to increased scrutiny of food choices.
Concealment of Information
While the article emphasizes the dangers of ultraprocessed foods, it may downplay the complexity of dietary influences on health, including other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status. This focus could obscure a more holistic understanding of nutrition.
Manipulative Elements
The article's manipulative aspects lie in its potential to evoke fear. By using phrases like “premature death” without fully contextualizing the data, it may inadvertently create panic among consumers rather than promoting informed decision-making.
Truthfulness of the Article
The findings presented in the article are based on empirical research, which lends credibility to the claims made about ultraprocessed foods. However, the interpretation and presentation of data can influence how the message is received, potentially skewing public perception.
Intended Message
The primary message is that increasing intake of ultraprocessed foods can lead to serious health consequences. This aligns with a growing trend in health discourse that emphasizes whole foods over processed options.
Comparative Context
When compared to other health-related news, this article may align with broader narratives regarding the importance of nutrition in public health. Similar studies and articles often highlight the adverse effects of processed foods, suggesting a concerted effort to shift dietary habits on a societal level.
Economic and Political Implications
The article may influence public sentiment towards food policies and regulations, potentially leading to calls for clearer labeling, stricter regulations on food marketing, or incentives for healthier food production. This could have ripple effects on the food industry and related markets.
Community Support
Health-conscious communities and advocacy groups focused on nutrition and wellness are likely to support the findings of this study. The article may appeal to those who prioritize healthy eating and seek to avoid ultraprocessed options.
Market Impact
This news could affect stock prices of companies involved in the production of ultraprocessed foods, as consumer awareness and preferences shift towards healthier alternatives. Brands may face pressure to reformulate products or improve transparency in their ingredient sourcing.
Global Relevance
The discussion about ultraprocessed foods fits into larger global health narratives, particularly in light of rising obesity rates and related health issues. It resonates with ongoing debates about food security, health equity, and public health strategies worldwide.
AI Involvement
While the article does not explicitly indicate the use of AI in its production, the structured presentation of data and analysis suggests potential involvement in generating insights. AI models could assist in summarizing research findings or analyzing public health trends.
Manipulation Potential
The language used could be perceived as manipulative due to its dramatic framing of the risks associated with ultraprocessed foods. This may lead to an oversimplification of a complex issue, potentially alienating those who rely on these foods for convenience.
In conclusion, the article presents valid research findings but may also propagate fear and oversimplification of dietary choices. It is crucial for readers to seek a balanced understanding of nutrition and health, considering a variety of factors that contribute to overall well-being.