The Hidden Dangers of Ultra-Processed Foods: Unveiling Over Health Issues
A new study has revealed a connection between ultra-processed foods and more than 30 health issues, including depression, sleep disturbances, and heart diseases related to mortality.
According to Dr. Melissa Lean, Associate Research Fellow and author of the study at Deakin University in Australia, a direct correlation has been found between ultra-processed foods and overall health. These 32 health issues include a high mortality rate, cancer, mental disorders, respiratory, cardiac, and gastrointestinal issues, along with problems of infertility.
Dr. Lean emphasized the importance of immediate research and actions for public health to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods, thus improving people's health.
Cheap, quickly prepared, shelf-stable, and packaged foods constitute 60% of Americans' diets, and previous research has linked them with issues like cancer or cognitive decline.
How Ultra-Processed Foods Are Linked to Health Problems
However, the latest research published in the British Medical Journal is a review of the past three years 45 scientific reports (including data from nearly 100 million patients and participants).
The grading of studies included in this review was based on the robustness of their findings.
Among the most convincing studies, researchers observed a 50% increase in the risks of mortality due to heart diseases, 48 to 53% increase in mental illness or unrest, and a 12% increase in type 2 diabetes associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods.