This is a study of unprecedented scope. Or rather a compilation of work, which once again shows the very concrete dangers of ultra-processed foods on our health. Published in the British Medical Journal this Wednesday, February 28, this study shows that the consumption of these products would drastically increase exposure to no less than 32 health problems, whether cancer, heart or lung diseases, diabetes, mental disorders or even… premature death.
For this report, a team of international researchers compiled the results of 14 studies, carried out on just under 10 million people in total, and which have already shown the risks presented by the consumption of these ultra-processed products. However, the latter are omnipresent in our supermarkets and in our cupboards, from sandwich bread to cereals, chips to industrial cakes, prepared meals to sodas… On their own, these products already represent on average more than 30% of our energy intake. in France, and up to 60% in the United Kingdom or the United States, with an even greater preponderance among the youngest or the most disadvantaged people.
A 50% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
The result of the study is clear: there is “convincing evidence” (those which are the most certain, according to the researchers’ scale) that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of almost 50 % of deaths related to cardiovascular disease, 48-53% from anxiety and common mental disorders, and 12% from type 2 diabetes.
Other “very suggestive evidence” shows that a higher consumption of ultra-processed products was associated with a 21% increased risk of death (from all causes), 40 to 66% of death linked to heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and sleep disorders, or a 22% increased risk of depression. Finally, evidence of more limited links also shows associations between ultra-processed products and asthma, gastrointestinal health, or even certain cardiometabolic risk factors (hyperglycemia or low levels of “good” cholesterol).
A public health problem
L’Express devoted a large article a few months ago to this problem of ultra-processed foods, sometimes called by some “edible chemistry”, and whose complex manufacturing has always aroused the concern of researchers, without however have significant scientific evidence. “As early as 2018, we showed an association between a higher share of ultra-processed products in the diet and an increased risk of cancer. Then, we published similar results for overweight and obesity, and others chronic diseases, as well as for mortality from all causes”, Mathilde Touvier, director of the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (Eren) at Inserm, explained to L’Express.
This study published in the British Medical Journal could once again shed light on this massive public health issue. With a very clear conclusion: “These results justify the development and evaluation of the effectiveness of public health measures to target and reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods, in order to improve human health.”