Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Chronic Disease Risks

Research Highlights Health Risks of Processed Foods

New Delhi, July 9: Recent research indicates that even moderate consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risks for chronic illnesses, including diabetes and various cancers.

The study reveals that a consistent but low intake of processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and trans fatty acids (TFAs) can elevate the likelihood of developing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and colorectal cancer.

While the dangers of these foods have been acknowledged for some time, the researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington noted that comprehensive analysis of the dose-response relationships between these foods and health outcomes remains scarce.

Published in the journal Nature Medicine, the research indicates that consuming processed meat in amounts ranging from 0.6 grams to 57 grams daily can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes by at least 11% compared to those who do not consume it.

For colorectal cancer, the risk rises by 7% with daily consumption between 0.78 grams and 55 grams. The relative risk for IHD was estimated at 1.15 for a daily intake of 50 grams.

Additionally, consuming sugar-sweetened beverages in quantities from 1.5 to 390 grams daily was linked to an 8% increase in the average risk of Type 2 diabetes.

A daily intake of 0 to 365 grams was associated with a 2% higher average risk of IHD.

The researchers emphasized that this new analysis reinforces dietary recommendations to limit the intake of processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats, underscoring the necessity for a thorough health assessment framework regarding ultra-processed foods.

The findings indicate that the risk escalates consistently with every level of consumption, with the most significant increases observed at lower habitual intakes, roughly equivalent to one serving or less per day.

Previous studies have also linked ultra-processed foods, particularly processed meats, SSBs, and TFAs, to heightened risks of chronic diseases.

Estimates suggest that diets high in processed meats were responsible for nearly 300,000 deaths globally in 2021, while diets rich in sugar-sweetened beverages and trans fats contributed to millions of disability-adjusted life years.

Processed meats, often preserved through methods like smoking, curing, or chemical additives, frequently contain harmful compounds such as N-nitroso agents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic amines, which are known to be involved in tumor development.