Consuming highly processed foods increases the risk of 32 different health problems such as cancer, serious heart and lung diseases and mental disorders. The risk of premature death also increases.
A new study involving experts from Deakin University in Australia has evaluated the existing evidence linking the consumption of highly processed foods and adverse health effects. The results can be read in the specialist journal “BMJ”.
Harmful of highly processed foods?
There have been various studies and meta-analyses in the past that have suggested a connection between a diet containing highly processed foods and poorer health. However, there has been no review with a comprehensive assessment of the evidence in this area, the team explains.
The researchers tried to change this with their new review, in which 45 different meta-analyses from 14 review articles with almost ten million participants were summarized. The reviewed articles analyzed dealt with the connection between highly processed foods and health impairments.
Exposure to highly processed foods was determined using a combination of questionnaires on frequency of food intake, food intake within 24 hours and general nutritional history.
Highly processed foods are harmful to your health
The results show that higher intake of highly processed foods is consistently associated with an increased risk of 32 health outcomes, the team reports.
According to the researchers, for example, it has been convincingly proven that higher consumption of highly processed foods is associated with an approximately 50 percent increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
The risk of anxiety and other common mental disorders also increased by 48 to 53 percent, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased by twelve percent due to consumption of highly processed foods, the researchers add.
There is also evidence that higher consumption of highly processed foods is associated with a significantly higher risk of death from any cause and a higher risk of death from causes such as obesity or type 2 diabetes.
The risk of depression also appears to increase when consuming highly processed foods.
Taken together, the results show that a diet high in highly processed foods is harmful to many systems in the body and to overall health.
Which foods are highly processed?
According to experts, highly processed foods include packaged baked goods and snacks, carbonated drinks, sugary cereals and various ready-to-eat or heated products.
These products go through various industrial processes and often contain dyes, emulsifiers, flavors and other additives. Additionally, they often contain large amounts of added sugar, fat and salt, but only small amounts of vitamins and fiber, the team says.
Reduce consumption of highly processed foods
Overall, the “results support public health measures that aim to specifically minimize the consumption of highly processed foods and thus improve the health of the population,” the researchers added in a press release.
It is also important to better understand the underlying mechanisms through which highly processed foods harm health. (as)
