A Quick Meal When Busy? Study Finds Ultra-Processed Foods Raise Premature Death Risk

Premature Deaths Surge in the US and UK Due to Ultra-Processed Foods
Experts Warn, "Findings Cannot Be Generalized"

A study has found that the higher the consumption of ultra-processed foods such as instant ramen, ham, carbonated drinks, cereal, and processed meats, the greater the risk of premature death.

On April 29 (local time), the British daily The Guardian reported on a study by Dr. Eduardo Nilson's team at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. According to the study, for every 10% increase in the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the average diet of people in eight countries?the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia?the risk of dying before the age of 75 rises by 3%.

Ultra-processed foods refer to foods that contain large amounts of food additives such as preservatives, colorants, and artificial sweeteners, and whose raw materials have been significantly processed or altered. Examples include fast food, cereal, instant ramen, carbonated drinks, snacks, processed meat products (hot dogs, sausages, etc.), and retort frozen products. Getty Images

Ultra-processed foods refer to foods that contain large amounts of food additives such as preservatives, colorants, and artificial sweeteners, and whose raw materials have been significantly processed or altered. Examples include fast food, instant ramen, carbonated drinks, snacks, processed meat products (hot dogs, sausages, etc.), cereal, and retort frozen products.

Colombia had the lowest proportion of ultra-processed foods, with these foods accounting for only about 15% of total calorie intake. In contrast, in the United States, ultra-processed foods made up 54% of calorie intake, and in the United Kingdom, 53%, meaning they accounted for more than half of total calories consumed in these countries.

When it comes to the proportion of premature deaths attributable to ultra-processed food consumption, the figure was only about 4% in Colombia, while it reached around 14% in both the United States and the United Kingdom. According to the research team's analysis, in 2018, the number of premature deaths due to ultra-processed food consumption was estimated at 124,000 in the United States and 18,000 in the United Kingdom.

A study has found that the more ultra-processed foods are consumed, the higher the risk of premature death. Pixabay

Dr. Nilson, the lead researcher, stated, "Because of the various additives and artificial ingredients, ultra-processed foods have a negative impact on health," adding, "Governments urgently need to implement policies that discourage the consumption of ultra-processed foods and promote traditional diets based on minimally processed ingredients."

However, there are also voices questioning this study. A professor of applied statistics in the United Kingdom pointed out, "There are many mathematical assumptions in this study, so the results should be approached with caution," and added, "It is not possible to know exactly what causes premature death." There was also criticism that, because there are so many types of foods classified as ultra-processed, it is difficult to generalize these findings.