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4h ago

Study Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Nearly 18,000 UK Deaths in 2018/19

Research finds a 3% increase in mortality risk for every 10% rise in ultra-processed food consumption, prompting calls for stricter regulations.

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Overview

  • An international study estimates 17,781 premature deaths in the UK in 2018/19 were linked to ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption.
  • Researchers found a 3% increase in all-cause mortality risk for every 10% rise in UPFs as a share of dietary intake.
  • UPFs, including processed meats, sugary snacks, and fizzy drinks, make up 53% of the average UK diet, the second highest among eight countries studied.
  • Experts caution the findings are observational and cannot definitively prove causation, with some suggesting UPFs may be a proxy for other lifestyle factors.
  • The study authors urge governments to adopt policies such as marketing restrictions, taxes, and dietary guidelines to reduce UPF consumption globally.