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A recent meta-analysis has found that consuming more ultraprocessed foods significantly increases the risk of premature death from various causes. Researchers examined data from over 240,000 participants in an effort to understand the long-term impact of these foods on health.

Carlos Augusto Monteiro, emeritus professor at the University of São Paulo School of Public Health in Brazil, explained that the study focused on people between the ages of 30 and 69, a critical period when death is often considered premature. “For each 10% increase in caloric intake from ultraprocessed foods, the likelihood of premature death rose by almost 3%,” Monteiro said.

What Are Ultraprocessed Foods?

Ultraprocessed foods are products made primarily from synthetic ingredients and additives, such as preservatives, colorings, and flavor enhancers, which are designed to improve taste, texture, and shelf-life. Monteiro, who introduced the term “ultraprocessed” in 2009, is the creator of the NOVA food classification system, which categorizes foods based on the level of processing. Group four, ultraprocessed foods, is the category linked to higher risks of health issues.

According to the NOVA system, food processing is divided into four groups:

1. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat.
2. Culinary ingredients such as oils and salt.
3. Processed foods made by combining ingredients from groups one and two, such as canned vegetables.
4. Ultraprocessed foods that consist mainly of artificial ingredients and chemicals.

Monteiro emphasized that the human body may struggle to process these synthetic substances, which could lead to negative health outcomes over time. “Humans likely cannot fully adjust to consuming such synthetic products,” he stated. “The body may treat these substances as harmful, leading to weakened systems or malfunctioning organs.”

Industry Pushback

While the study’s findings have alarmed health experts, industry representatives have expressed concerns about the negative portrayal of ultraprocessed foods. Sarah Gallo, senior vice president for product policy at the Consumer Brands Association, argued that the study’s conclusions could harm public access to affordable and nutritious food. She warned that such portrayals could worsen health disparities and increase foodborne illnesses.

“Labeling convenient foods as harmful could discourage their use, reducing diet quality and exacerbating health inequalities,” Gallo stated in a response.

Even Small Increases Pose Risks

In addition to the primary study, previous research has shown that even modest increases in ultraprocessed food intake are linked to higher risks of severe health conditions. A 2024 study found that a mere 10% rise in ultraprocessed food consumption could increase the likelihood of early death from cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders.

The research indicated that higher consumption also leads to an increased risk of obesity (55%), anxiety (53%), sleep disorders (41%), type 2 diabetes (40%), and depression (20%). This suggests that even one extra serving of ultraprocessed food daily can have serious consequences.

Further studies have also linked a modest increase in ultraprocessed foods to cognitive decline, strokes, and a higher risk of cancers in the upper digestive tract.

Global Implications of Ultraprocessed Foods

The study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine took a broader look, estimating the number of preventable deaths linked to ultraprocessed foods in eight countries with different levels of consumption. In nations with the highest consumption, such as the United States, nearly 14% of premature deaths could be attributed to these foods. In contrast, countries with lower consumption, such as Brazil and Colombia, saw far fewer preventable deaths.

Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, the study’s lead author from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, highlighted these disparities. “Preventable premature deaths linked to ultraprocessed foods vary from 4% in countries with low consumption to almost 14% where consumption is highest,” Nilson explained.

The United States, where ultraprocessed foods make up nearly 55% of daily calories, was found to have the highest death toll linked to these foods. In 2017 alone, researchers estimated that over 124,000 deaths could have been prevented if ultraprocessed foods were eliminated from the diet.

Experts Weigh In on the Findings

Despite the study’s findings, some experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions. Nerys Astbury, an associate professor of diet and obesity at the University of Oxford, noted that the study’s methods do not confirm causality. “This study’s methods do not allow us to confirm causality,” Astbury said.

However, other experts, like Stephen Burgess, a biostatistician at the University of Cambridge, pointed out the consistent links between ultraprocessed food consumption and poor health outcomes. While causation is still unproven, Burgess emphasized that the growing body of evidence suggests these foods likely play a significant role in global health issues.

“It is possible that other factors, such as physical inactivity, correlate with high ultraprocessed food consumption,” Burgess added. “However, the consistency of these results raises serious concerns about the role of these products in global health.”

A Growing Public Health Challenge

As the consumption of ultraprocessed foods continues to rise, particularly in developed nations, the impact on global health becomes increasingly evident. With ultraprocessed products now making up about 70% of the U.S. food supply, and children and adults alike consuming more than half of their daily calories from these products, the findings of this study could have far-reaching implications for public health strategies worldwide.

It remains clear that addressing the global consumption of ultraprocessed foods may be one of the key steps toward reducing the risk of chronic diseases and premature death. However, with industry pushback and the complex nature of dietary habits, further research and public policy efforts will be necessary to curb the growing health crisis linked to ultraprocessed food consumption.