Study Links Ultra-Processed Foods to 18% Higher Death Rate in 8.8 Million Adults
Updated
Updated · WZTV · Sep 27
Study Links Ultra-Processed Foods to 18% Higher Death Rate in 8.8 Million Adults
3 articles · Updated · WZTV · Sep 27
Summary
A pooled analysis of 51 cohort studies covering nearly 8.8 million adults found higher reported ultra-processed food intake tracked with more chronic disease and higher mortality over two to 32 years.
The strongest reported associations included a 24% higher relative rate of cardiovascular events and an 18% higher relative rate of death from any cause in the highest-intake groups versus the lowest.
Each additional 100 grams a day was linked to a 14% higher relative rate of cardiovascular events, 4% for cancer, 2% for metabolic syndrome or diabetes, and 3% for all-cause death.
The authors said the findings do not prove causation because the underlying studies were observational and relied on self-reported diets, while experts also flagged socioeconomic confounding and the broad NOVA definition of ultra-processed foods.
Most evidence was rated low certainty, underscoring the study's main takeaway: a consistent long-term association between higher ultra-processed food intake and poorer health, not proof that every packaged food is harmful.