Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Over 124,000 Avoidable Deaths in the U.S.

A recent global study highlights the alarming impact of ultra-processed foods on preventable deaths. Researchers found that a 10% increase in the share of ultra-processed foods within daily energy intake correlates with a 2.7% rise in the risk of mortality from all causes. The implications are stark, with ultra-processed foods linked to 32 negative physical and mental health outcomes. Published on April 28 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the study reveals that in the United States alone, over 124,000 deaths each year could be attributed to these foods. Lead investigator Dr. Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, a researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil, emphasized the broader health implications. "Ultra-processed foods affect health not only due to their high levels of critical nutrients like sodium, trans fats, and sugar but also because of the significant alterations in food during industrial processing. The incorporation of artificial ingredients, such as colorants, flavors, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and various additives, complicates the assessment of their overall impact on health. By evaluating all-cause mortality linked to UPF consumption, we can better understand how industrial food processing affects public health.”