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It’s no
secret ultra-processed foods can be detrimental to your
health, but they can also increase your risk of early death,
according to a new report.
Researchers
from health institutions in France recently conducted a study,
published in JAMA Internal Medicine, to determine the
relationship between overall mortality risk and the
consumption of ultra-processed food.
They defined
ultra-processed foods as those “manufactured industrially
from multiple ingredients that usually include additives used
for technological and/or cosmetic purposes,” the authors
wrote in the study. “Ultraprocessed foods are mostly
consumed in the form of snacks, desserts, or ready-to-eat or
-heat meals.”
For the
assessment, the analysts examined nearly 45,000 adults aged 45
and older for two years. The subjects submitted 24-hour
dietary records every six months and completed questionnaires
about their health, physical activities and sociodemographics.
After analyzing
the results, they found ultra-processed foods made up more
than 14 percent of the weight of total food consumed and 29
percent of the total calories consumed.
They also
discovered ultra-processed foods were associated with younger
age, lower income, lower educational level, living alone,
higher body mass index and lower physical activity level.
Furthermore,
they calculated a 14 percent higher risk of early death for
each 10 percent increase of ultra-processed foods consumed. A
total of 602 deaths occurred during the course of the study.
Although the
scientists acknowledged more testing is needed to confirm
their results, they believe the additives, packaging and
processing of such foods could all be factors that negatively
impact our health.
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