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Epoch Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Thousands of Premature Deaths Each Year
For every 10 percent increase in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in your diet, your risk of premature death rises by around 3 percent, according to a comprehensive new study that has health officials across eight nations—including the United States, Canada, and the UK—calling for immediate policy interventions. The research, recently published in the 'The evidence on the health impacts of UPFs are very compelling, with over 30 different outcomes already associated with UPF consumption, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes,' Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, the lead researcher from Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, told The Epoch Times. What Makes UPFs Harmful? According to Nilson, UPFs affect health beyond their high levels of sodium, trans fats, and sugar, which are linked to poor health outcomes when eaten excessively. Industrial processing also transforms these foods through the addition of colorants, artificial ingredients, emulsifiers, and other additives. UPFs are heavily manipulated from their original state, often containing ingredients not commonly found in home kitchens. Examples include soft drinks, chips, chocolate, packaged meals, and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Researchers analyzed data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality records in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the UK, and the United States, finding that as the percentage of UPFs in a person's diet increases, so does the risk of premature death. Food processing can harm health through various biological and physiological mechanisms, including the creation of harmful chemicals, changes in macronutrient structure, and the addition of additives. These changes can lead to increased intake of sugar, salt, and fats, reduced satiety, and altered digestion and absorption of nutrients. Related Stories 4/19/2025 3/11/2025 The study found significant variations in UPF-related mortality between countries. Colombia had the lowest UPF consumption, with UPFs making up 15 percent of a person's total energy intake. The researchers estimate that processed foods accounted for around 4 percent of premature deaths. In the United States, which had the highest consumption—with more than 50 percent of a person's daily energy coming from UPFs—nearly 14 percent of premature deaths are linked to these foods. For context, the researchers noted that in 2018 alone, approximately 124,000 premature deaths in the United States were attributed to UPF intake. These findings build upon previous research, including a review of seven cohort studies Finding Balance in Food Choices Laura Pensiero, a registered dietitian and chef who owns Gigi Hudson Valley in New York, told The Epoch Times that while UPFs can have a significant negative impact on health if eaten in excess, she doesn't believe in completely demonizing or banning them. 'It's about finding a balance—embracing whole and minimally processed foods for daily nutrition while allowing room for occasional indulgence,' she said. 'The focus should be on nourishing your body with whole, nutrient-dense foods, and enjoying the occasional processed treat without guilt.' The 2021 study also noted that high consumption of UPFs is associated with various health issues, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, and depression—further adding to the growing body of evidence that UPFs are harming public health. Dr. Joel 'Gator' Warsh, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine in Studio City, emphasized the urgency of changing course. 'We need to shift our focus to prevention, real food is medicine, and cutting back on UPFs is one of the most powerful tools we have,' he told The Epoch Times. Practical Steps to Reduce UPF Consumption The main takeaway of the study is that UPFs are an important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases and that 'they are replacing the traditional, healthy diets of all countries and this is causing a significant burden to their health,' Nilson said. Reducing UPF consumption requires more than consumer education, he said. 'Food choices are influenced by price, availability, information, and other factors, and education by itself is insufficient to ensure healthy diets,' he said. 'Therefore, we need to make healthy dietary behaviors easier and more accessible and affordable.' Before you make your purchases at the grocery store, 'scour the facts,' and if you see chemical names or unfamiliar ingredients, 'it's best to stay clear,' Michelle Bacarella, a registered dietitian, food scientist, and functional food and supplement formulator, told The Epoch Times. Pensiero recommends that we begin reducing our UPF intake with small, manageable changes. 'Focus on cooking more at home with whole ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and minimize packaged foods with long ingredient lists or items not generally used in a home kitchen,' she said. Gradually replace processed snacks with healthier alternatives, such as fresh fruit or homemade granola, and read labels carefully to avoid additives and excessive sugar, she added. 'By shifting towards whole or minimally processed options, you can improve your diet without feeling restricted.'
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ultra-processed foods linked to rising premature deaths: Study reveals shocking details
A study analyzing data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality data from eight countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United Kingdom, and United States) shows that premature deaths attributable to consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) increase significantly according to their share in individuals' total energy intake. Also read | Are ultraprocessed foods hurting your health? Experts weigh in on risks and solutions The new study, appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, reinforces the call for global action to reduce UPF consumption, supported by regulatory and fiscal policies that foster healthier environments. UPFs are ready-to-eat-or-heat industrial formulations that are made with ingredients extracted from foods or synthesised in laboratories, with little or no whole foods in their composition. These have gradually been replacing traditional foods and meals made from fresh and minimally processed ingredients. Lead investigator of the study, Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, DSc, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Brazil, says, "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 colorants, artificial flavors 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." Also read | Can ultra-processed foods raise cancer risk? Doctor explains the dangers While previous studies focused on specific dietary risk factors instead of food patterns, the current study modeled data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality data from eight countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United Kingdom, and United States) to link dietary patterns, considering the extent and purpose of industrial food processing, to deaths from all causes. High consumption of UPFs has been associated with 32 different diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, some types of cancer, and depression. For the first time, this study has estimated the burden of UPF intake on premature deaths from all causes in different countries, showing that the attributable mortality is significant in all settings and that addressing UPF consumption should be a global public nutrition priority. Also read | The problematic American diet: Study reveals how ultra-processed foods are taking over the plates Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists finally reveal true death toll from ultraprocessed foods... and it's worse than anyone feared
Ultraprocessed foods are killing more Americans than fentanyl, a shock study suggests. Using death records and nutritional data, researchers estimated that 125,000 premature deaths in the US could be blamed on consuming these types of foods in 2017-2018. For comparison, 73,000 died from fentanyl overdoses in 2022, the latest data shows. Ultraprocessed food is thought to increase the risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease due to high levels of saturated fat and sugar, as well as artificial additives. The study looked into diets in eight countries, including the US and UK. They then estimated how many of those deaths could be linked to ultraprocessed foods like meats, candy, ice cream and even some salads and breads through nutritional surveys. The study found one in seven of the nearly 1million premature deaths in the US could be blamed on ultraprocessed foods from 2017 to 2018. According to the study, ultraprocessed foods also make up more than half of the calories the average American consumes every day - more than any other country in the world. The above table shows the percentage of calories ultraprocessed foods account for in all countries studied and the number of premature deaths associated with them And for every 10 percent of extra ultraprocessed food consumed, the risk of early death increases by three percent. Ultraprocessed foods have long been under scrutiny for containing high levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar and additives like emulsifiers and artificial colors not typically found in home cooking. As a result, the researchers associated them with 32 chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity and some forms of cancer. Dr Eduardo Nilson, lead study author from 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 colorants, artificial flavors and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and many other additives and processing aids.' He noted because of this, 'assessing deaths from all-causes associated with UPF consumption allows an overall estimate of the effect of industrial food processing on health.' Independent researchers, however, cautioned the findings do not prove ultraprocessed foods directly lead to an early death and called for additional studies. The study, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, calculated the number of premature deaths in the US, UK, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Australia and Canada. From 2017 to 2018, the US experienced 906,795 premature deaths, which is defined as death before a country's average life expectancy. In the US, this is 77 years old. That was nearly twice the amount of the next closest country, Brazil, which had 556,696. The team then collected nutritional data from national surveys to calculate how pervasive ultraprocessed foods are in each country's diet. In the US, ultraprocessed foods were responsible for 54 percent of the average person's consumed calories. The researchers found 124,107 premature deaths in the US could be blamed on ultraprocessed foods. This is about 14 percent or one in seven. Meanwhile 17,781 deaths could be linked to these foods in the UK, also totaling about 14 percent. Colombia, Brazil and Chile, however, attributed ultraprocessed foods to four to six percent of their premature deaths. The researchers suggested this could be because these foods are less common in these countries. For example, ultraprocessed foods only make up 15 percent of the average calories consumed in Colombia. In Brazil and Chile, these foods account for 17 and 23 percent of the average resident's diet, respectively. Studies have linked ultra processed foods to cancer, diabetes, mental health conditions and obesity The researchers wrote: 'Premature deaths attributable to consumptions of ultraprocessed foods increase significantly according to their share in individuals' total energy intake. 'A high amount of UPF intake can significantly affect health.' A study published last year in BMJ, for example, found people who consumed the highest amount of ultraprocessed foods had a four percent higher risk of death overall and a nine percent greater risk of dying from a chronic disease other than cancer or heart disease. Those researchers suggested the increased risk could be due to high amounts of sugar, saturated fat and sodium. The team behind the new study urged lawmakers worldwide to introduce measures to eliminate ultraprocessed foods from the food supply, such as tighter regulations of food marketing and restrictions on selling them in schools. There were several limitations to the study, mainly including the findigns showing associations rather than direct causes. Independent experts also raised concerns about the findings. Professor Nita Forouhi, professor of health and nutrition at the University of Cambridge, said: 'There are limitations to this paper, including the points the authors themselves raised. 'Nonetheless, evidence on the 'health harms of UPF' are accumulating and this paper does add to that body of evidence, and UPFs are unlikely to be healthful.' Forouhi emphasized correlation does not mean ultraprocessed foods directly cause death, though observational studies 'are often the best we are going to get realistically.' 'We should not ignore such findings, especially as the current research has reported consistently similar associations in several countries which increases the degree of confidence,' she added. Professor Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at Open University in England, said: 'The researchers may appear to be making a simple comparison, but in fact it's a lot more complicated than you might think. Like Forouhi, McConway noted the data is observational and does not prove causation. 'Researchers record what people eat, and then follow them up for a long time and record if and when they died,' he said. 'This all means that it's impossible, for any one study like that, to be sure whether differences in mortality between people who consume different UPF amounts are actually caused by differences in their UPF consumption. 'There are bound to be many other differences between groups who consume different UPF amounts, in terms of other details of their diet, their lifestyle, their economic position, their sex and age, and so on. These differences might be, in part or in whole, the reason for the differences in the risk of early death.' He added: 'I'm certainly not saying that there is no association between UPF consumption and ill health – just that it's still far from clear whether consumption of just any UPF at all is bad for health, or of what aspect of UPFs might be involved.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ultra-processed foods could be linked to thousands of UK deaths a year
Thousands of UK deaths each year could be linked to the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), analysis suggests. Experts believe there is a relationship between people eating UPFs - such as processed meats, ice cream and crisps - and an increased risk of early death. UPFs often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar and additives, which researchers said leaves less room in people's diets for more nutritious foods. The analysis suggested that in 2018-19, some 17,781 premature deaths in the UK could have been linked to UPFs. Such foods also tend to include ingredients that are not normally used when people cook from scratch - including preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial colours and flavours. Other examples of UPFs include mass-produced bread, some breakfast cereals, biscuits, ready meals and fizzy drinks. UPFs have previously been linked to an increased risk of early death and , including obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. However, some experts say it is not clear why UPFs are linked to poor and more studies will be needed "to establish the mechanisms involved". The latest study, published in the American Journal Of Preventive Medicine, calls on governments to issue dietary recommendations aimed at cutting consumption of UPFs. In analysing data from eight countries, it was found UPFs made up 53% of people's energy intake in the UK - the second highest after 55% in the US. In Colombia, which has a lower consumption of UPFs, premature deaths attributable to these types of foods was 4%. But premature deaths from UPFs jumped to 14% for the UK and the US, according to the research. Read more from Sky News: Lead researcher Eduardo Nilson, from the scientific body the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, 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%". 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. "More research is needed to ascertain a causal link between UPF and disease and to establish the mechanisms involved," she added.
Sky News
28-04-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Ultra-processed foods could be linked to thousands of UK deaths a year
Thousands of UK deaths each year could be linked to the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), analysis suggests. Experts believe there is a relationship between people eating UPFs - such as processed meats, ice cream and crisps - and an increased risk of early death. UPFs often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar and additives, which researchers said leaves less room in people's diets for more nutritious foods. The analysis suggested that in 2018-19, some 17,781 premature deaths in the UK could have been linked to UPFs. Such foods also tend to include ingredients that are not normally used when people cook from scratch - including preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial colours and flavours. Other examples of UPFs include mass-produced bread, some breakfast cereals, biscuits, ready meals and fizzy drinks. UPFs have previously been linked to an increased risk of early death and a range of health issues, including obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. However, some experts say it is not clear why UPFs are linked to poor health and more studies will be needed "to establish the mechanisms involved". The latest study, published in the American Journal Of Preventive Medicine, calls on governments to issue dietary recommendations aimed at cutting consumption of UPFs. In analysing data from eight countries, it was found UPFs made up 53% of people's energy intake in the UK - the second highest after 55% in the US. In Colombia, which has a lower consumption of UPFs, premature deaths attributable to these types of foods was 4%. But premature deaths from UPFs jumped to 14% for the UK and the US, according to the research. Lead researcher Eduardo Nilson, from the scientific body the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, 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%". 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. "More research is needed to ascertain a causal link between UPF and disease and to establish the mechanisms involved," she added.
