A new study has found that consumption of high amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may increase the risk of premature death.
UPFs are foods that have undergone significant industrial processing and often contain additives, sweeteners, and other ingredients not commonly used in home cooking to enhance taste, texture, or appearance.
Examples of UPFs include processed meats, fizzy drinks, biscuits, ice cream, and certain breakfast cereals.
The study, published on Monday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, analysed dietary habits and mortality data from eight countries — Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the UK and the US.
It found that for every 10% increase in UPFs as part of total energy intake, the risk of death from all causes rose by more than 3%.
The study suggested that the percentage of premature deaths linked to UPFs can range from 14% to 4%, depending on the level of consumption.
According to the research, countries like the US and UK, where UPFs make up a large portion of the diet, may record up to 14% of early deaths tied to these foods, compared to around 4% in countries with lower intake, such as Colombia and Brazil.
In 2018, the US recorded about 124,000 premature deaths linked to ultra-processed food consumption, while the UK recorded nearly 18,000.
However, the study could not confirm whether the deaths analysed were directly caused by UPF consumption.
It also did not provide definitive proof that ultra-processed foods were responsible for any premature deaths.
Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, said the study cannot definitively prove that UPF consumption causes premature death, as it remains unclear which aspects of these foods might be responsible.
“It’s still far from clear whether consumption of just any UPF at all is bad for health, or what aspect of UPFs might be involved,” he said.
“This all means that it’s impossible for any one study to be sure whether differences in mortality between people who consume different UPF amounts are actually caused by differences in their UPF consumption.
“You still can’t be sure from any study of this kind exactly what’s causing what.”
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