Overview
- The three-article Lancet series synthesizes evidence tying high UPF intake to elevated risks for obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, depression, colorectal cancer and Crohn’s disease, with 92 of 104 prospective studies reporting harm.
- UPFs now account for roughly half of household dietary intake in some settings, with sharp growth across Latin America where per‑capita consumption is estimated at 100–150 kg a year and national shares have risen significantly in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.
- Authors detail coordinated corporate strategies—lobbying, political financing, front groups, litigation and self‑regulation—by a concentrated global industry led by firms such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever and Coca‑Cola with about $1.9 trillion in annual sales.
- The series urges comprehensive measures that go beyond product reformulation, including adding UPF markers to nutrient profiling, front‑of‑pack warning labels, bans on child‑directed advertising, restrictions in public institutions and taxes on UPFs.
- Proposed mechanisms include loss of fiber and polyphenols and the effects of additives like emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners on the gut microbiome and inflammation, and experts recommend cooking from scratch, checking labels and choosing whole, fiber‑rich foods.