Consuming higher levels of ultraprocessed foods could reduce lifespans by more than 10%, according to a new study involving over 500,000 participants tracked for nearly three decades.
Lead author Erikka Loftfield, from the National Cancer Institute, revealed that the risk increased to 15% for men and 14% for women after adjusting for various factors. The study, presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in Chicago, highlighted that diet soft drinks and sugary beverages were the primary contributors to ultraprocessed food intake among participants.
The research categorized foods using the NOVA system, which identifies ultraprocessed foods as those containing additives rarely found in home cooking. These additives include preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colorings, and added sugars and fats, all designed to enhance taste and appearance.
Carlos Monteiro, a nutrition professor who developed the NOVA classification, emphasized the study’s findings on the association between ultraprocessed food consumption and mortality from conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
The study linked dietary habits from 1995 with death rates over the subsequent decades, revealing that those consuming the most ultraprocessed foods faced higher risks of heart disease and diabetes-related mortality compared to those with lower consumption levels. Notably, there was no significant increase in cancer-related deaths observed.
Loftfield underscored specific risks associated with certain subgroups of ultraprocessed foods, particularly processed meats and sugary beverages like diet drinks containing artificial sweeteners. These findings align with existing health guidelines recommending reduced intake of sugar-sweetened beverages due to their associations with chronic diseases and premature death.
Despite limitations in the study’s data collection timeframe, experts suggest that ultraprocessed food consumption has likely increased since the mid-1990s, potentially underestimating current risks. The study’s authors advocate for diets rich in minimally processed whole foods and encourage consumers to scrutinize nutrition labels for sodium and added sugars when choosing foods.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the critical role of dietary choices in long-term health outcomes and underscores the importance of reducing reliance on ultraprocessed foods in daily diets.
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