On supermarket shelves, it is not uncommon to be attracted by numerous ultra-processed foods. Often simple to prepare and packaged in commercial packaging, it is normal to be tempted to slip them into your basket. However, these foods are not safe for health, as Inserm recently reminded us. Ultra-processed foods are indeed manufactured using industrial processes from previous foodstuffs, industrial products, and additives.
A study published on February 28, 2024 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) looked at the link between consumption of ultra-processed foods and adverse health effectsby deciphering 45 meta-analyses, grouped from 14 review articles, which involved nearly 10 million participants and which were published over the last three years.
Ultra-processed foods: they are associated with an increased risk of 32 adverse health effects according to researchers
At the end of this work, the scientists were able to associate significant exposure to ultra-processed products with an increased risk of 32 adverse effects on the body. For example, they were able to identify a 21% increased risk of death from all causesbut also 40 to 66% of deaths linked to heart disease, obesity, or type 2 diabetes. They also noted an increase in the risk of 48 to 53% of anxiety or mental disorders, 22% of depression, as well as 12% of developing type 2 diabetes.
However, researchers have not been able to demonstrate a clear association between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of asthma, poor gastrointestinal health, certain cancers, and cardiometabolic risk factors, such as hyperglycemia and low levels of “good” cholesterol.
How can we explain the health dangers of ultra-processed products?
For the study scientists, many reasons can explain the multiple harmful consequences of ultra-processed foods about health. They explain in particular that diets rich in ultra-processed products are associated with markers of poor quality diet, with higher levels of added sugars, saturated fats and sodium, higher energy density, and less fiber , proteins and micronutrients. The consumption of these products also replaces that of more nutritious foods, which leads to a reduction in certain beneficial intakes for the body.
But researchers also point out the dangers associated with industrial processing methods, ingredients and by-products of ultra-processed foods. For example, they explain that alterations to the food matrix during processing processes can affect digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the feeling of satiety. Furthermore, they recall that recent work has shown that exposure to additives present in these products can have numerous harmful consequences on the health of consumers.
Ultra-processed products: results which should encourage prevention and public health actions according to scientists
“These results argue in favor of urgent mechanistic research and public health actions aimed at targeting and minimize consumption of ultra-processed foods to improve the health of the population“, conclude the researchers. In fact, they argue that it is essential for public authorities to take measures concerning ultra-processed products, for example on the labeling of packaging, the restriction of their advertising, or even around tax measures so that unprocessed or minimally processed foods are as accessible as ultra-processed foods.
On the research side, scientists say that multidisciplinary studies “are needed to identify the most effective ways to control and reduce ultra-processing and to quantify and track the cost-benefit and other effects of all these policies and actions on human health and well-being, society , culture, employment and the environment“.
Sources:
- Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses – The BMJ – February 28, 2024
- Consistent evidence links ultra-processed food to over 30 damaging health outcomes – EurekAlert! – February 28, 2024
- Not so great – What is an ultra-processed food? – Inserm – 09/25/2023