A comprehensive review of 45 meta-analyses involving nearly 10 million individuals reveals alarming connections between ultraprocessed foods and a myriad of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, mental disorders, and premature mortality.
Led by researchers from Deakin University in Australia, the study underscores a substantial increase in risk associated with consuming these foods.
Findings indicate a 50% higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease-related death and common mental disorders with increased consumption.
Additionally, anxiety risk can surge by up to 53%, while the chance of premature death from any cause spikes by 20%. While obesity, sleep disorders, and type 2 diabetes also show elevated risks, evidence linking ultraprocessed foods to cancer remains limited, contrary to previous studies.
However, experts caution against dismissing the potential impact, given the established correlation between obesity, which ultraprocessed foods exacerbate, and cancer risk.
The study’s lead aut
hor, Dr. Melissa Lane, emphasizes the critical need for dietary awareness and intervention.
Despite mixed evidence on certain health conditions like asthma and gastrointestinal health, the pervasive association between ultraprocessed foods and adverse health outcomes underscores the urgency of dietary reform.
Source: Oman News Agency