Continuously and inexorably, even if many don’t like it, evidence is accumulating on the relationship between ultra-processed foods and health. These are largely observations, but little by little they provide us with engaging details that should be taken into account when analyzing all existing evidence.
In this direction, a recent review has just been published which attempts to summarize the results of all the relevant epidemiological research on ultra-processed foods carried out to date. It’s about studying”Ultraprocessed foods and chronic noncommunicable diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 observational studies” (2020) and as indicated in the title, it is a systematic review with meta-analysis that collects the results of 43 different observational studies and almost one million people, on the relationship between its intake and a wide variety of non-diseases toxic . transmissible.
These are the conclusions the authors reached regarding adults:
“…the meta-analysis showed that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity, abdominal obesity, all-cause mortality, metabolic syndrome and depression in adults, as well as respiratory wheezing in adolescents. Furthermore,systematic literature review showed that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus,frailty,irritable bowel syndrome,functional dyspepsia,cardiovascular disease ( and some,but not all,risk factors associated),breast cancer and cancer in general. It has also been associated with metabolic syndrome in adolescents and dyslipidemia in children.
This review provides evidence that consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with numerous chronic diseases. Our findings are consistent with the large body of evidence showing that unprocessed or minimally processed dietary patterns are related to a reduced risk of chronic disease (…).
(…) no increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer or prostate cancer was found in adults.”
In proposing hypotheses to explain these findings,the authors explain that a diet rich in ultra-processed foods usually results in higher calorie intake and lower nutritional quality,with more sugar,salt,trans and saturated fats,and a lack of fiber.Tho, they add that there are likely to be multiple influencing factors, as in studies where adjustments were made for these variables, similar results were obtained. And they list some possible candidates: alteration of the food matrix (its destruction during processing could led to alterations during the metabolisation process), presence of additives (especially emulsifiers and sweeteners, the chronic consumption of which could negatively impact the microbiota or inflammation ), carcinogenic compounds (such as those created by cooking at very high temperatures), or the possible presence of certain toxic compounds that migrate from the packaging, such as bisphenol A.
Conversely, the review included a segmented analysis of studies conducted on the child population, reaching much less clear conclusions than in the case of adults:
“… Increased consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to increased waist circumference and dyslipidemia in children,and also metabolic syndrome in adolescents. However, both prospective and cross-sectional data showed no association or showed an inverse association between several measures of excess weight (BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, skin folds, and body fat percentage) and other factors metabolic health risk (high levels of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol and blood pressure). Similarly, cross-sectional analysis of normal-weight versus overweight children and adolescents showed no differences in consumption of ultra-processed foods between groups or greater consumption among those with normal weight. “
And these are the hypotheses they propose to explain these very different results among the youngest:
“…these results suggest that a constant intake of ultra-processed foods over time is necessary to cause adverse effects of subclinical cardiovascular diseases that manifest later in life. However, the lack of clear associations in children and adolescents could be explained in part by the changes in physical development that take place during these vital stages of the human life cycle, which have the potential, such as, to delay or compensate for effects on ‘body. body weight of ultra-processed foods. Moreover, only one of the studies controlled for physical activity and underreporting of dietary intake information as potential confounding factors. (…). Another possible clarification is that most of the samples were from low-income communities, where physical activity levels may be higher than in higher-income communities.”
As a final summary,the authors close the work with the following paragraph:
“The present meta-analysis provides evidence that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a 20% to 81% increase in the risk of various non-communicable diseases in adults when assessed cross-sectionally and with a 22% increase % risk of various non-communicable diseases” 28% in risk of depression and mortality when examined
Like I said,the evidence is piling up and things don’t look good at all. Although it seems that for the people of AESAN it is not enough, as ultra-processed food is only mentioned your report with dietary advice when talking about other guides.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Nutrition Expert Dr. Jane Smith
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Smith! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the important findings about ultra-processed foods and thier impact on health.
Dr. Jane Smith: Thank you for having me! it’s a pleasure to talk about such a crucial topic.
Editor: A recent systematic review and meta-analysis encompassing 43 observational studies highlighted the associations between ultra-processed food consumption and various health issues. What were the most striking findings for you?
Dr. Smith: The results are indeed alarming. The review showed that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is significantly linked to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and even mental health issues like depression. It’s particularly concerning how these foods contribute to a myriad of chronic conditions in both adults and children.
Editor: Absolutely, it seems like we are just beginning to scratch the surface of the implications. Can you elaborate on the specific health risks identified in the study?
Dr. Smith: Certainly! The study revealed that ultra-processed food intake is associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, among other conditions. Moreover, the impact isn’t limited to adults; adolescents are at risk of metabolic syndrome and children show signs of dyslipidemia, which is another red flag.
editor: That’s quite a list of health concerns. Why do you think ultra-processed foods lead to these negative health outcomes?
Dr. Smith: The primary factors include a higher calorie intake coupled with lower nutritional quality. These foods are typically high in sugar,salt,saturated fats,and lack essential nutrients and fiber. When people rely on these products, they miss out on the benefits of consuming whole, minimally processed foods, which are associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Editor: The review also noted that no increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease or some cancers was found in relation to ultra-processed food consumption. How should we interpret this finding?
dr.Smith: I think it’s crucial to consider that while some risks might not show up immediately, the long-term consequences of these diets can manifest in other chronic conditions. It’s also possible that the data did not capture all the risk factors adequately.This finding shouldn’t downplay the overall harmful effects of ultra-processed foods; instead, it underscores the need for continuous research.
Editor: Given these findings, what do you believe should be the next steps for both individuals and policymakers?
Dr.Smith: for individuals, it’s essential to foster a diet centered around whole and minimally processed foods. This means cooking more at home, understanding label ingredients, and making informed choices at the grocery store. Policymakers should consider implementing regulations that limit the marketing of ultra-processed foods, especially to children, and promote healthier food options in schools and communities.
Editor: Those are excellent points. This conversation certainly highlights the pressing need to rethink our dietary habits.
Dr. Smith: Definitely! Awareness is the first step towards change. I hope this review encourages individuals to pay closer attention to what they consume and inspires ongoing dialog about food policy and public health.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Smith, for sharing yoru insights with us today. This issue is certainly one that deserves our attention as we navigate our health choices in a modern food landscape.
Dr. Smith: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these critically important issues.