A new, yet-to-be-published study sheds light on the potential impact of ultra-processed foods on our longevity. The study, which tracked more than half a million people for nearly 30 years, revealed some worrying findings. Erica Loftfield, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, said eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods may shorten a person’s lifespan by more than 10 percent. After adjusting for various factors, the risk rose to 15% for men and 14% for women.
The study also delves into the specific types of ultra-processed foods that are most commonly consumed. Surprisingly, beverages were found to play an important role in promoting the consumption of ultra-processed foods. In fact, the top 90% of ultra-processed food consumers say ultra-processed beverages (including diet and sugary soft drinks) top their consumption lists. This highlights the key role that beverages play in the diet and their contribution to ultra-processed food consumption.
Additionally, the study found that refined grains, such as ultra-processed breads and baked goods, were the second most popular ultra-processed food category. This finding highlights the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in our diets and the potential impact on our health and longevity.
The implications of this study are significant and warrant a closer examination of our eating habits. Ultra-processed foods, characterized by high levels of additives, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients, have long been the subject of concern in the fields of nutrition and public health. These findings add to evidence that consuming such foods may have adverse effects on our health and lifespan.
It’s important to note that the term “ultra-processed foods” covers a wide range of products, including not only sugary and low-calorie soft drinks, but also a variety of packaged snacks, convenience foods and ready-to-eat meals. These products often contain high levels of added sugar, unhealthy fats and sodium while lacking essential nutrients and fiber. Their convenience and palatability have made them a popular choice for many people, but the long-term consequences of consuming them are now emerging.
Carlos Monteiro, emeritus professor of nutrition and public health at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, said in an email: “This is another large-scale, long-term cohort study confirming the association between UPF (ultra-processed food) intake and all-cause The association between mortality, particularly cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.”
Monteiro coined the term “ultra-processed foods” and created the NOVA food classification system, which focuses not only on nutritional content but also on how foods are made. Monteiro was not involved in the study, but several members of the NOVA classification system are co-authors.
Additives include preservatives to fight mold and bacteria, emulsifiers to prevent the separation of incompatible ingredients, artificial colors and dyes, antifoaming agents, bulking agents, bleaching agents, gelling agents and polishing agents, and those added to make foods appetizing or altered sugar, salt, and fat.
Health risks from processed meats and soft drinks
The preliminary study, presented Sunday at the American Academy of Nutrition’s annual meeting in Chicago, analyzed nearly 541,000 Americans ages 50 to 71 who participated in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study in 1995. dietary data.
Researchers linked dietary data to mortality over the next 20 to 30 years. Research shows that people who eat the most ultra-processed foods are more likely to die from heart disease or diabetes than those in the bottom 10 percent of ultra-processed food consumers. However, unlike other studies, the researchers found no increase in cancer-related mortality.
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Some ultra-processed foods are more risky than others, Loftfield said: “Highly processed meats and soft drinks are among the ultra-processed foods most strongly associated with risk of death.”
Low-calorie drinks are considered ultra-processed foods because they contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and stevia, as well as other additives not found in whole foods. Low-calorie drinks are associated with an increased risk of early death from cardiovascular disease as well as increased incidence of dementia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke and metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans already recommend limiting the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, which have been linked to premature death and the development of chronic disease. A March 2019 study found that women who drank more than two sugary drinks (defined as a standard cup, bottle or can) a day had a 63% increased risk of premature death compared with women who drank less than once a month. %. Men who did the same thing had a 29% increased risk.
Mix in salty snacks. Flat lay table scene on rustic wooden background.
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Processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, sausages, ham, corned beef, jerky, and deli meats are not recommended; studies have shown that red meat and processed meats are linked to bowel cancer, stomach cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and premature disease from any cause. related to death.
Rosie Green, professor of environment, food and health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said in a statement: “This new study provides evidence that processed meat may be one of the unhealthiest foods, but ham is not considered Or chicken nuggets are UPF (ultra-processed food).” She was not involved in the study.
The study found that people who consumed the most ultra-processed foods were younger, heavier, and had an overall poorer diet quality than those who consumed less ultra-processed foods. However, the study found that these differences could not explain the increased health risks, as even people of normal weight and eating better diets were likely to die prematurely from eating ultra-processed foods.
Experts say consumption of ultra-processed foods may have doubled since the study was conducted. Anastasiia Krivenok/Moment RF/Getty Images
“Studies that use food classification systems such as NOVA, which focus on degree of processing rather than nutritional content, should be considered with caution,” Carla Saunders, chair of the industry association’s Calorie Control Committee, said in an email.
“Suggesting the elimination of dietary tools such as no- and low-calorie sweetened drinks, which have proven benefits in treating comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes, is harmful and irresponsible,” Saunders said.
Results may underestimate risk
A key limitation of the study is that dietary data was collected only once, 30 years ago, Green said: “It’s hard to say how eating habits have changed between then and now.”
However, the ultra-processed food manufacturing industry has exploded since the mid-1990s, and it is estimated that nearly 60% of the average American’s daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods. This is not surprising since as much as 70% of the food in any grocery store may be ultra-processed.
“If there’s a problem, it’s that we may be underestimating our consumption of ultra-processed foods because we’re being too conservative,” Lovefield said. “Ultra-processed food intake is likely to only increase over the years.”
In fact, a study published in May found similar results, showing that more than 100,000 health care workers who consumed ultra-processed foods faced a higher risk of premature death and death from cardiovascular disease. The study, which assessed ultra-processed food intake every four years, found that consumption doubled from the mid-1980s to 2018.
Girl takes crispy fried fat potato chips out of a glass bowl or plate and places them on a white background or table. The potato chips were in the woman’s hands and she ate them. Unhealthy diet and lifestyle concept, accumulation of excess weight.
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“For example, daily intake of packaged salty snacks and dairy-based desserts such as ice cream has nearly doubled since the 1990s,” said lead author of the May study, Clinical Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. said Dr. Song Mingyang, associate professor of science and nutrition.
“In our study, like in this new study, the positive relationship was driven primarily by several subgroups, including processed meats and sugary or artificially sweetened beverages,” Song said. “However, all categories of ultra-processed foods are associated with increased risk.”
Loftfield says choosing more minimally processed foods is one way to limit ultra-processed foods in your diet.
“We should really focus on eating a diet rich in whole foods,” she said. “If the food is ultra-processed, look at the sodium and added sugar content and try to use the Nutrition Facts label to make the best decision.”
So, what can we do to mitigate the potential impact of ultra-processed foods on our lifespans? The first step is to be more mindful of our dietary choices. By paying closer attention to the ingredients and nutritional content of the foods and drinks we consume, we can make more informed decisions about what we put into our bodies. This may involve choosing whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible and minimizing intake of highly processed and packaged products.
Additionally, raising awareness about the risks associated with overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is crucial. Education and public health campaigns can play a key role in educating individuals about the potential health impacts of dietary choices and helping them make healthier decisions. By promoting a deeper understanding of the link between diet and longevity, we can encourage positive changes in eating habits and overall health.
Additionally, policymakers and food industry stakeholders have a role to play in addressing the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in the food environment. Implementing regulations and initiatives that promote the availability and affordability of healthier, minimally processed options can help create a more supportive environment for individuals striving to make healthier choices.
Post time: Jul-17-2024
