Study Links Ultraprocessed Foods to Increased Health Risks, Calls for Policy Reform

The American Heart Association has issued a Science Advisory warning about the health risks associated with the consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), which are linked to cardiovascular disease, chronic illness, and mortality. The advisory, titled 'Ultraprocessed Foods and Their Association with Cardiometabolic Health: Evidence, Gaps and Opportunities,' emphasizes the need for a better understanding of how UPFs affect health and calls for comprehensive strategies to reduce their consumption.

UPFs, characterized by poor nutritional quality, are high in saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium (HFSS), contributing to adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes. Observational studies have found a dose-response relationship between UPF consumption and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and vascular complications. The advisory notes that while not all UPFs are unhealthy, the majority, especially those prevalent in U.S. diets, pose significant health risks.

The rapid increase in UPF consumption since the 1990s has disrupted traditional dietary patterns, with 55% of calories consumed by Americans aged 1 and older coming from UPFs. This shift is particularly pronounced among youth and lower-income families, highlighting disparities in dietary quality. The advisory underscores the importance of replacing UPFs with healthier options like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins to align with the American Heart Association's dietary guidelines.

Efforts to address the health impacts of UPFs are complicated by varying definitions and classifications of processed foods, as well as a lack of detailed information on additives and processing methods in food composition databases. The advisory calls for more research to understand the mechanisms by which UPFs affect health, including the role of food additives and industrial processing techniques. It also recommends policy changes, such as front-of-package labeling and stricter regulation of food additives, to help consumers make healthier choices.

The advisory concludes by emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to reduce UPF consumption, including individual dietary changes, industry reform, and policy interventions. 'More research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of how UPFs impact health,' said Maya K. Vadiveloo, Ph.D., R.D., FAHA, chair of the writing group. 'In the meantime, the Association continues to urge people to cut back on the most harmful UPFs and follow a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains for better short- and long-term health.'

For more information on the study and its findings, visit https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/index.htm.