Overview
- A systematic review presented at the ACC meeting quantifies increased risks of hypertension, cancer, and mortality with every 100 g of ultra-processed food consumed.
- A Canadian biomarker analysis links ultra-processed food intake to higher cardiometabolic risk factors, including elevated blood pressure, insulin, and triglycerides, independent of BMI.
- Global mortality modeling estimates that ultra-processed foods account for 3.4% to 13.8% of premature deaths across eight countries, with the highest rates in the UK and the US.
- Health Canada has initiated consultations to develop strategies aimed at reducing ultra-processed food consumption as part of broader public health measures.
- Emerging evidence highlights inflammation and metabolic dysfunction as key biological mechanisms driving the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods.