A pooled analysis of scientific studies has shown that a diet high in industrially produced food increases the likelihood of hypertension, diabetes, cancer and premature death, infohub.kz reports.
Researchers conducted a pooled analysis of existing scientific studies on the effects of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on human health. The results, published in the journal Family Medicine and Community Health, confirm that high consumption of such food is directly linked to an increased risk of a range of chronic diseases and premature death from all causes.
Ultra-processed foods are ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat products that have undergone extensive industrial processing. They typically contain numerous food additives and are high in sugar, salt and fat, while being low in fiber, protein and vitamins. In the study, researchers converted daily consumption of such products into 50-gram servings and analyzed their effects on the body.
According to the findings, heavy consumption of ultra-processed food raises the risk of cardiovascular disease by 24%, digestive system diseases by 31%, depression and anxiety by 27%, diabetes and metabolic syndrome by 24%, obesity by 23%, cancer by 12%, and the risk of death from any cause by 18%. The researchers emphasize that every additional 100 grams of such food per day consistently increases the health threat.
Among the causes of the negative effects, the authors cite a "cocktail effect" from food additives, disruption of the gut microbiome, inflammatory processes, and toxic compounds such as acrylamide, which form during heat treatment. Doctors recommend replacing ultra-processed products with minimally processed alternatives to prevent chronic conditions.