Common Snack Foods May Increase Risk of Death

Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods might increase your risk of dying by 10 percent, new research shows.

Ultra-processed foods include many ready-to-eat items like packaged snacks, carbonated drinks, instant noodles, and ready meals. These foods often have a long list of ingredients that are hard to recognize and are full of preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial flavors and colors.

Sources:

• Research published in the medical journal The BMJ
• Study from the National Cancer Institute

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods are a broad category of food products that are convenient and often cheap. They include:

• Packaged snacks
• Carbonated drinks
• Instant noodles
• Ready meals

These foods usually have many additives to improve taste, texture, and shelf life but offer little nutritional value.

Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods

Several studies have linked ultra-processed foods to various health issues:

• Heart Disease: Increased risk due to unhealthy ingredients.
• Diabetes: Higher sugar content can lead to diabetes.
• Bowel Cancer: Some ingredients may increase cancer risk.
• Obesity: High calorie content with low nutrition.

Key Findings from Recent Research

A study by the National Cancer Institute tracked over half a million U.S. adults for nearly 30 years. It found that those who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a 10 percent higher risk of dying compared to those who ate the least.

Specific Risks Identified:

• Heart Disease and Diabetes: Higher risk of death from these conditions.
• Cancer: No significant increase in cancer-related deaths linked to ultra-processed foods.

Sources:

• Erikka Loftfield, Stadtman Investigator at the National Cancer Institute

Factors Contributing to Higher Risk

The study found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods often had a higher body mass index (BMI) and poorer overall diet. Even after adjusting for these factors, the increased risk persisted. Some ultra-processed foods, like processed meats and soft drinks, were especially linked to higher mortality.

Recommendations

Reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods is already recommended for better health and disease prevention. Focus on eating fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead.

Conclusion

While more research is needed to understand all the health risks of ultra-processed foods, this study adds to the growing evidence that these foods are bad for your health. Cutting down on ultra-processed foods can help improve your overall health and longevity.

For more details, read the full studies published in The BMJ and research from the National Cancer Institute.