Do big studies show that eating lots of processed food links to deadly diseases?

"For every 10 % of the energy intake from UPF consumption, an increase of 15 % in the hazard of all-cause mortality was observed (HR 1·15; (95 % CI 1·03, 1·27); P -value = 0·012)."

"Epidemiological studies have linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods with obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome , depression, and various types of cancer."

"Epidemiological data suggest that consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with non-communicable diseases and obesity , but this has not been confirmed by RCTs yet."

"An increase in UPF consumption was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality in a representative sample of the Spanish population."

"Research on ultra-processed foods often conflate processing with other dietary factors or inadequately assess diets."

"A 2024 meta-analysis published in The BMJ identified 32 studies linking ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to negative health outcomes, though it also noted possible heterogeneity among sub-groups of UPF."

"However, when UPF were replaced by unprocessed or minimally processed foods, an inverse pattern was observed. A reduction of 14 % (in percentage of energy) and 6 % (in g) in all-cause mortality was estimated ( P -value = 0·018 and P -value = 0·002, respectively)"

"A 2023 review indicated that people who consume 10% more ultra-processed foods have an increased risk of various cancers, including colorectal , breast , and pancreatic cancer ."

"Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the Moli-Sani Study"

"There was no evidence of an association of UPF intake with all-cause, cancer or CVD mortality comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of UPF intake"

"In two large US cohorts comprising female nurses and male health professionals with more than 48,000 deaths documented over three decades, higher UPF intake was modestly associated with increased all-cause and non-cancer, non-cardiovascular mortality, particularly for processed meat products, sweetened beverages, dairy-based desserts, and ultra-processed breakfast foods ( 16 )."

"We found no evidence of an association between total UPF intake and all-cause, cancer or CVD mortality, but ultra-processed red meat and fish in both sexes, and milk and soymilk drinks in men were positively associated with all-cause mortality."

"A cohort study including 38,148 US adults similarly found that higher UPF intake was linked to increased mortality of all-cause and cardiovascular disease ( 17 )."

"the risk of all-cause mortality increased in both men and women with high consumption of ultra-processed red meat and fish (men, HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11–1.43)"

"Besides, a large multinational prospective cohort involving 428,728 participants likewise found positive correlations between UPF consumption and mortality of all-cause, as well as circulatory and digestive system diseases mortality ( 18 )."

"Among existing cohort studies, two different cohorts both reported that UPF consumption was positively linked to all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, but showed no association with cancer mortality ( 9 , 15 )."

"the highest UPF intake quarter, relative to the lowest, was associated with a 10% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.06–1.14), a 9% higher risk of circulatory system diseases mortality (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02–1.17)"

"Researchers found that consuming higher amounts of ultra-processed foods was associated with an increased risk of heart disease, strokes, obesity, diabetes, depression and anxiety, digestive issues and cancer."

"A high UPF intake is associated with higher risk for CKD."

"The risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States, was found to increase by 24% after consuming higher amounts of ultra-processed foods."

"Greater consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with higher all-cause mortality in this health-conscious Adventist population with many vegetarians."

"Death from any cause (18 percent higher risk)"

"Each additional 100 grams a day was linked to a 14% higher heart risk and an 11% higher blood pressure risk."

"The HR for the 90th compared with the 10th percentile of consumption (comparing 47.7% with 12.1% dietary energy) in a continuous linear model was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.21)."

"The findings are "largely consistent with prior prospective cohorts and meta analyses which show an adverse association between total ultra-processed food intake and multiple health outcomes," Vadiveloo said."

"with the risk of diabetes increasing 24% and the risk of obesity increasing 23%."

"Os participantes que estavam no quartil mais alto de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados apresentaram um risco de 1,42 vezes maior de incidência de CCR e um risco 1,64 vezes maior de mortalidade por CCR em comparação aos que consumiram a menor quantidade."

"The association of ultra-processed food with mortality appeared stronger among those with chronic diseases at baseline, suggesting the potential for greater impact among those with higher mortality risk."

""generally low evidence certainty, much of it due to heterogeneity within the ultra-processed food category and limitations with diet assessment.""

"O maior consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (AUPs) foi associado a um maior risco de multimorbidade de câncer e doenças cardiometabólicas."

"Other cohorts have demonstrated an association between ultra-processed foods and all-cause mortality ( 12–15 ), and the current findings (from one of the largest examinations of this association to date) add to this evidence."

"However, the researchers emphasized the findings show associations between the mentioned health risks and ultra-processed food consumption, but do not prove the food group causes the conditions."

"Embora a relação entre AUPs e mortalidade por câncer de pulmão não tenha sido significativa nas análises iniciais, foi observado um aumento de 16% no risco de câncer de pulmão entre os participantes com o maior consumo de AUPs após múltiplas imputações."