Ultra-processed foods have become a hot topic in health discussions as growing evidence connects them to a wide range of serious conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, cognitive issues, and diabetes. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others have raised alarms about foods containing more than five ingredients, with Kennedy stating that “highly chemically processed foods” are a leading cause of the chronic disease crisis in America.
Now, a new study adds to the growing concern, suggesting that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may not only cause chronic illnesses but also contribute to premature deaths. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the study shows a strong association between higher intake of UPFs and early mortality (defined as deaths occurring between ages 30 and 69), according to fortune.com.
The research analyzed data from eight nations—Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It found that for every 10 percent increase in the proportion of calories from UPFs, the risk of death from any cause rose by 3 percent. In countries with particularly high UPF consumption, such as the United States, these foods could be responsible for up to 14 percent of premature deaths. In 2018 alone, UPFs were linked to an estimated 124,000 early deaths in the US.
According to Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, the lead author of the study, UPFs can harm health beyond their contents of sodium, trans fats, and added sugars. “The industrial processing of these foods—and the use of synthetic ingredients like colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and other additives—can negatively affect health in more complex ways,” Nilson explained. Evaluating all-cause mortality associated with UPFs provides a broader understanding of how industrial food production influences public health, as per fortune.com.
Top Ultra-Processed Foods to Limit or Avoid
UPFs are categorized using the NOVA classification system, which identifies foods that have undergone heavy industrial processing and contain artificial additives. These items are often high in calories, low in nutrients, and designed to last long on shelves.
While the main study did not pinpoint specific foods, a separate study published last year identified several UPFs with the strongest links to all-cause mortality:
- Processed meats
- Sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks
- Dairy desserts
- Heavily processed breakfast items like sugary cereals
That research found people who consumed the most ultra-processed foods faced a 4 percent higher overall risk of death—and an 8 percent greater risk of dying from neurodegenerative conditions—compared to those who ate the least.