logo
Thousands of UK deaths could be linked to ultra-processed foods

Thousands of UK deaths could be linked to ultra-processed foods

Metro28-04-2025

Ultra-processed foods have been linked with tens of thousands of early deaths in the UK in a new study.
If you're anything like the typical Brit, you may well be eating dozens of these foods today alone.
They could include cereal and flavoured yoghurt for breakfast (even cornflakes are often UPF), sliced bread with cream cheese or ham for lunch, a ready meal for dinner, and some biscuits or crisps as a snack.
But these foods could be harming our health in ways that are still not fully understood, the study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine says.
They looked at data from eight countries around the world and found UPFs made up 53% of people's energy intake in the UK – the second highest in the study after 55% in the US.
The researchers suggested that in 2018/19, some 17,781 premature deaths in the UK could have been linked to UPFs, according to their model.
Premature deaths attributable to UPFs ranged from 4% of premature deaths in lower consumption settings, such as Colombia, up to 14% of premature deaths in the UK and US, according to their mathematical modelling.
Authors called on governments to issue dietary recommendations aimed at cutting consumption of UPFs.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told Metro: 'This government is committed to tackling poor diets and the obesity crisis to protect future generations.
'We have already taken action to end the targeting of junk food adverts to children, across TV and online and we have handed local authorities stronger powers to block applications for new takeaways near schools.
'We are also commissioning research to improve the evidence on the health impacts of ultra processed foods. Through our Plan for Change, we will shift the focus from sickness to prevention, reducing the burden of obesity on public services and the NHS.'
In recent years, ultraprocessed foods, or UPFs, have been a growing concern, with Facebook groups springing up full of people trying to cut down, and brands such as M&S and Crosta Mollica responding with products free of the additives and emulsifiers that typify industrially produced foods.
It follows the smash hit success of the book Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken, who went as far as to say many of these new processed substances are not even really 'food' at all.
An exact definition has been hard to pin down, but one popular one is that they include ingredients you wouldn't typically find in a home kitchen, such as E-numbers, emulsifiers, thickeners, and colourings: potentially things like potassium sorbate, soy lecithin, mono and diglycerides, guar gum and aspartame.
Here is a list of common ultra-processed foods to be aware of: Sweetened breakfast cereals
Instant soups
Pre-packaged and microwave-ready meals
Fruit-flavoured yoghurts
Spreads
Reconstituted meat – e.g. ham, burgers, chicken nuggets and sausages
Ice cream
Crisps
Biscuits
Soft drinks and some alcoholic drinks – including whisky, gin, and rum
But it's not just things thought of as 'junk foods': even things like baked beans, coconut milk, low fat spread, fruit snacks and vegan burgers can be ultra-processed.
The Nova classification system sought to break it down, splitting foods into unprocessed, minimally processed, processed and ultraprocessed.
The further something gets from its original ingredients, the more processed it is.
We still don't know for sure.
UPFs have been linked previously to poor health, including to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, cancer and early death.
It could just be that they are often high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar,so eating them means we have less room in our diets for more nutritious foods.
But it could be because they tend to include additives and ingredients that are unhealthy, such as preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial colours and flavours.
Some emulsifiers, for example, used to bind foods together, have been accused of disrupting the gut biome and causing inflammation.
Lead investigator Eduardo Nilson, from the scientific body the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, said: 'UPFs affect health beyond the individual impact of high content of critical nutrients (sodium, trans fats, and sugar) because of the changes in the foods during industrial processing and the use of artificial ingredients, including colourants, artificial flavours and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and many other additives and processing aids, so assessing deaths from all causes associated with UPF consumption allows an overall estimate of the effect of industrial food processing on health.'
Dr Nilson said the study found 'each 10% increase in the participation of UPFs in the diet increases the risk of death from all causes by 3%'.
Probably not the companies who make UPFs, but aside from them, scientists caution that it is too early to rush to conclusions about the dangers of UPFs.
Nerys Astbury, associate professor from the University of Oxford, said it is known that consuming diets higher in calories, fat and sugar can have detrimental effects on health, including premature mortality.
She said: 'Many UPF tend to be high in these nutrients, and studies to date have been unable to determine with certainty whether the effects of UPF are independent of the already established effects of diets high in foods which are energy dense and contain large amounts of fat and sugar.
'The authors of the study conclude that advice to reduce UPF consumption should be included in national dietary guideline recommendations and in public policies. More Trending
'However, rushing to add recommendations on UPF to these recommendations is not warranted based on this study in my opinion.'
She said the Nova system, which defines foods according to different levels of food processing, 'has many limitations, including arbitrary definitions and overly broad food categories' and added: 'More research is needed to ascertain a causal link between UPF and disease and to establish the mechanisms involved.'
You'd have to balance the health benefits with the joy of a little indulgence.
If you really want to be on the safe side, a boiled egg and an apple would probably be better for you.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Fast food chain closing up to 200 locations to pay off $300,000,000 debt
MORE: Plans to 'dim the sun' sparks conspiracy the government is 'changing the weather'
MORE: Popular restaurant chain has only 85 locations left after closing hundreds

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms
Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms

Rhyl Journal

time35 minutes ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms

Wes Streeting said the forthcoming 10 year health plan would also see 'much of what's done in a hospital today, will be done on the high street'. But he stressed the Government was 'not embarking on another top-down reorganisation' of the health service. The plan is expected to be published in July. Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, Mr Streeting said: 'The NHS should not be bound by traditional expectations of how services should be arranged. Nearly a quarter of a million off NHS waiting lists. Lowest level in two years. And the first time they've fallen in April in 17 years! Lots done, lots to do. We're delivering our Plan for Change. I won't rest until the job is done. — Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 12, 2025 'I am open to our strongest acute trusts providing not just community services, as many already do, but also primary care. 'Whatever services will enable them to meet the needs of their patients in a more integrated and efficient way. 'Indeed, I would hope that those old-fashioned labels – acute, community – become increasingly meaningless. 'Likewise, there is no reason why successful GPs should not be able to run local hospitals, or why nurses should not be leading neighbourhood health services.' Mr Streeting talked about the 'jeopardy' facing the NHS, adding: 'Just as public satisfaction has plunged to its lowest level on record, major political parties have begun to question the very existence of a publicly funded universal healthcare system free at the point of need. 'And I can almost feel them willing us on to fail, because if all of us fail in our mission to turn the NHS around, the vultures on the populist rivals swoop in for the kill. 'The NHS is in a fight for its life but nothing I have experienced in my first 11 months in office have shaken my conviction or confidence that this is a fight we will win.' Meanwhile he spoke about the spending review, likening himself to the survivor in the popular book series, The Hunger Games. 'Yesterday's spending review was a vital moment on that journey,' he said. 'There have been broadly two sorts of reactions to this. The first, mainly from the media and the public – '£29 billion is a hell of a lot of money'; the second, mainly from our think tank friends – '£29 billion is nowhere near enough'. The truth is, both are right. 'It is objectively a substantial funding settlement that puts wind in our sails. But investment alone isn't enough. 'There is no fix to the NHS's problems that simply pours more money into a broken system. 'It is only through the combination of investment and reform that we will succeed in getting the NHS back on its feet and making make it fit for the future.' He told delegates at the conference: 'Despite my best efforts at the Cabinet yesterday morning before the spending review announcement, to put the blame on John Healey the Defence Secretary for the squeeze on other government departments, none of my colleagues were buying. 'In fact, one permanent secretary once referred to me as the Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. 'We're a Labour Government – the NHS is all of our priorities, and there isn't a single person sat with me around the Cabinet table who doesn't value what you're doing, doesn't underestimate the scale of the task that we have ahead of us, and they are all rooting for us to succeed, every single one of them.' Commenting on the speech, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'The Secretary of State is right that the divides between acute, primary, community are already being broken down, supported by the work of integrated care boards. 'Redesigning services is essential to the future of the NHS and many providers are already breaking down their traditional silos to offer patients truly personalised and integrated care.' He added: 'The extra funding announced at the spending review is very welcome and, as Mr Streeting says, it is both a lot of money and not enough. 'Many of our members have warned they will not hit the interim target, with only one in two confident they will achieve the 65% elective care interim target by March 2026. 'That is why redesigning services is so essential – the combination of investment and reform – so that we can achieve the Government's three ambitions.'

Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms
Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms

Western Telegraph

time37 minutes ago

  • Western Telegraph

Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms

Wes Streeting said the forthcoming 10 year health plan would also see 'much of what's done in a hospital today, will be done on the high street'. But he stressed the Government was 'not embarking on another top-down reorganisation' of the health service. The plan is expected to be published in July. Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, Mr Streeting said: 'The NHS should not be bound by traditional expectations of how services should be arranged. Nearly a quarter of a million off NHS waiting lists. Lowest level in two years. And the first time they've fallen in April in 17 years! Lots done, lots to do. We're delivering our Plan for Change. I won't rest until the job is done. — Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 12, 2025 'I am open to our strongest acute trusts providing not just community services, as many already do, but also primary care. 'Whatever services will enable them to meet the needs of their patients in a more integrated and efficient way. 'Indeed, I would hope that those old-fashioned labels – acute, community – become increasingly meaningless. 'Likewise, there is no reason why successful GPs should not be able to run local hospitals, or why nurses should not be leading neighbourhood health services.' Mr Streeting talked about the 'jeopardy' facing the NHS, adding: 'Just as public satisfaction has plunged to its lowest level on record, major political parties have begun to question the very existence of a publicly funded universal healthcare system free at the point of need. 'And I can almost feel them willing us on to fail, because if all of us fail in our mission to turn the NHS around, the vultures on the populist rivals swoop in for the kill. 'The NHS is in a fight for its life but nothing I have experienced in my first 11 months in office have shaken my conviction or confidence that this is a fight we will win.' Meanwhile he spoke about the spending review, likening himself to the survivor in the popular book series, The Hunger Games. 'Yesterday's spending review was a vital moment on that journey,' he said. 'There have been broadly two sorts of reactions to this. The first, mainly from the media and the public – '£29 billion is a hell of a lot of money'; the second, mainly from our think tank friends – '£29 billion is nowhere near enough'. The truth is, both are right. 'It is objectively a substantial funding settlement that puts wind in our sails. But investment alone isn't enough. 'There is no fix to the NHS's problems that simply pours more money into a broken system. 'It is only through the combination of investment and reform that we will succeed in getting the NHS back on its feet and making make it fit for the future.' He told delegates at the conference: 'Despite my best efforts at the Cabinet yesterday morning before the spending review announcement, to put the blame on John Healey the Defence Secretary for the squeeze on other government departments, none of my colleagues were buying. 'In fact, one permanent secretary once referred to me as the Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. 'We're a Labour Government – the NHS is all of our priorities, and there isn't a single person sat with me around the Cabinet table who doesn't value what you're doing, doesn't underestimate the scale of the task that we have ahead of us, and they are all rooting for us to succeed, every single one of them.' Commenting on the speech, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'The Secretary of State is right that the divides between acute, primary, community are already being broken down, supported by the work of integrated care boards. 'Redesigning services is essential to the future of the NHS and many providers are already breaking down their traditional silos to offer patients truly personalised and integrated care.' He added: 'The extra funding announced at the spending review is very welcome and, as Mr Streeting says, it is both a lot of money and not enough. 'Many of our members have warned they will not hit the interim target, with only one in two confident they will achieve the 65% elective care interim target by March 2026. 'That is why redesigning services is so essential – the combination of investment and reform – so that we can achieve the Government's three ambitions.'

You should never ignore these five symptoms if you are a man
You should never ignore these five symptoms if you are a man

Scotsman

time42 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

You should never ignore these five symptoms if you are a man

Every day men across the UK are dying early from preventable causes 🩺 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Members of the public are being asked to have their say on ways to tackle the biggest health problems facing men. The 12 week consultation will run until July 17, 2025. Every day men across the UK are dying early from preventable causes. These are the five symptoms that men should never ignore. Members of the public are being asked to have their say on ways to tackle the biggest health problems facing men. Men are disproportionately affected by a number of health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The consultation will also look at what needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women, as men in England die nearly four years earlier than women, on average. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes. Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50. 'Our Plan for Change means we will tackle these issues head on through a men's health strategy, and today's call for evidence is the crucial next step in understanding what works, what doesn't, and how we can design services men will actually use. I urge people to come forward to share their views.' Every day men across the UK are dying early from preventable causes. | Pexels, Alex Green What symptoms should men never ignore? When it comes to your health there are some symptoms that could indicate you need to seek help from a medical professional. These are the five symptoms men should never ignore: Chest pain Chest pain can have many different causes, but if you experience it, it's best to seek medical help to rule out a heart problem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Symptoms such as sudden chest pain that does not go away can be serious, if you also get pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or your neck, jaw, stomach or back and have chest pain and you feel sweaty, sick, light headed or short of breath you may be having a heart attack and should call 999 immediately. Changes in bladder habits If you are needing to urinate more frequently, especially during the night, finding it difficult to urinate, needing to rush to the bathroom, straining, feeling your bladder has not fully emptied or notice blood in your urine, make an appointment with your GP as these could be warning signs for prostate cancer. Changes in bowel habits If you are noticing you are needing to go to the bathroom more often or are experiencing looser stools, constipation or blood in your stool you should make an appointment with your GP. Fatigue Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Our lives are very busy and often leave us feeling tired, but if you are experiencing fatigue even after rest, it's important to make an appointment with your GP to find out if there could be an underlying cause such as diabetes. Mood changes or poor mental health If you are finding yourself feeling down or feeling irritable or hopeless it's important not to ignore it. Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you've been having persistent low moods that have been impacting your overall well-being, work, relationships and sleep, reach out to your GP about what support is available.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store