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New Studies Link Ultra-Processed Foods to Premature Death and Inflammation

Recent research highlights a 2.7% increase in all-cause mortality risk for every 10% rise in ultra-processed food consumption, with direct evidence of inflammatory and cardiometabolic harm.

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You may want to cut back on ultra-processed foods, according to the findings of a new study.
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Overview

  • A global ecological study confirms a linear relationship between ultra-processed food intake and premature deaths, estimating 17,781 UK deaths in 2018/19 potentially linked to these foods.
  • A Canadian study using biomarker data shows high ultra-processed food consumption is associated with elevated blood pressure, insulin, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein.
  • Ultra-processed foods make up 15% to 54.5% of dietary energy across eight countries, with the highest consumption in the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • The findings underline the urgent need for public health measures, including potential food labeling, taxation, and updated dietary guidelines to curb ultra-processed food consumption.
  • Critics of the NOVA classification system argue it lacks precision, but researchers emphasize the consistent evidence linking ultra-processed foods to poor health outcomes.