Ultra-processed foods are products that have been artificially modified and are rich in added fats, sugars, starches, salts and chemicals, such as “emulsifiers”. These foods, which range from “soft drinks” to “snacks” to “processed meats,” are stripped of their natural nutritional value.
These foods contain many ingredients that the body is not used to dealing with.
Previous studies have shown that people who eat large amounts of these foods are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a group of symptoms that includes weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fat levels, and insulin resistance. In addition, they may have elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation and a predictive factor for cardiovascular diseases, such as “heart attacks” and “strokes.”
However, there is still little data on whether people who consume larger amounts of these foods are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
## Consumption of ultra-processed foods is increasing
As consumption of these foods increases, and as cardiovascular disease continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States and increases globally, understanding the relationship between them is more important than ever. These findings may have a significant impact on individual patient care as well as on overall “health.”
Researchers from Charles E. Schmidt School of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University studied this potential relationship by analyzing data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Dr. Charles H. explained: Henkins, lead author of the study:
* People who eat larger amounts of excessively processed foods have a 47% risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which is statistically significant and clinically important.
* These findings have important implications for future research, as well as clinical care and public policy.
Researchers believe that increasing public awareness and changing policies related to these foods may be similar to what happened with tobacco in the last century.
Just as it took decades for the dangers of cigarettes to become widely known, it will likely take a long time to change processed food consumption habits, given the influence of large companies that dominate the market.
## Calls to reduce these foods
“Tackling hyper-processed foods is not just about individual choices, it is also about creating environments where the healthy choice is the easier choice,” Henkins said. “Clinical guidelines and health education are essential to making nutritious foods available and affordable for everyone.”
Researchers also discuss the high rates of colorectal cancer in the United States, especially among young adults, due to the similarity of risk factors to cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Dr. Alison H. says: “Increasing consumption of overly processed foods may be a contributing factor, along with other diet and lifestyle factors, that influence a range of common and serious gastrointestinal diseases. Awareness is the first step toward prevention,” said Ferris, MD, Fellow of the American College of Physicians, co-author and professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine.
Although large-scale randomized trials are needed, researchers say that for now, health care providers should advise patients to reduce consumption of processed foods, adopt other lifestyle changes, and use adjuvant drug treatments of proven benefit.
