Ultra-Processed Food Consumption is Associated with Renal Function Decline in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular risk factors and mortality. However, little is known on the UPF effect on renal function. The aim of this study is to assess prospectively the association between consumption of UPF and renal function decline. This is a prospective cohort study of 1312 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 and older recruited during 2008–2010 and followed up to December 2015. At baseline, a validated dietary history was obtained. UPF was identified according to NOVA classification. At baseline and at follow-up, serum creatinine (SCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels were ascertained and changes were calculated. A combined end-point of renal decline was considered: SCr increase or eGFR decreased beyond that expected for age. Logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders was performed. During follow-up, 183 cases of renal function decline occurred. The fully adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of renal function decline across terciles of percentage of total energy intake from UPF were 1.56 (1.02–2.38) for the second tercile, and 1.74 (1.14–2.66) for the highest tercile; p-trend was 0.026. High UPF consumption is independently associated with an increase higher than 50% in the risk of renal function decline in Spanish older adults.

Ultraprocessed food consumption and kidney function decline in a population-based cohort in the Netherlands

“…The main and novel finding is that participants consuming a higher proportion of UPFs in their diets were at higher risk of worse kidney outcomes in the general population. Our findings are in agreement with a recent, small-scale study showing that high UPF consumption is independently associated with an increase in the risk of kidney function decline in Spanish older adults ( 32 ). We are not aware of other studies evaluating this in the overall general population, but our results expand previous research linking UPF consumption with risks of other noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease ( 24 ) and diabetes ( 25 ).…”

“…The interaction by cardiovascular disease history was only significant for the annual change in the eGFR endpoint ( Figure 2 ). A prior study focusing on the relationship between UPF consumption and kidney function declines in elderly individuals found no consistent interaction by several cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) ( 32 ). Other studies focusing on other dietary exposures in relation to kidney function found similar results.…”

“…Studies have consistently found associations between the consumption of UPFs and the risk of cardiometabolic diseases (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease) ( 24–29 ), cancer ( 30 ), and premature death ( 31 ). A recent small-scale study shows that higher UPF consumption is associated with a higher risk of kidney function decline in community-dwelling adults >60 years in Spain ( 32 ). Whether a high UPF consumption is associated with the risk of kidney function decline in the general population is unknown.…”

The Role of Diet Quality in Mediating the Association between Ultra-Processed Food Intake, Obesity and Health-Related Outcomes: A Review of Prospective Cohort Studies

“…Other dietary adjustments include for fried foods, fruit and vegetables, UPF soft drinks, multivitamin use and excluding bacon, sausage and processed meats from ultra-processed food intake. These adjustments had no impact on the association between higher intakes of UPF and risk of all-cause mortality, cancer, overweight/obesity, increased total and visceral fat mass, increased BMI and FMI, NAFLD, weight and waist circumference gain, adverse blood lipid profiles, grip strength decline, incident hypertension and renal function decline [ 103 , 104 , 106 , 107 , 109 , 111 , 112 , 115 , 121 , 122 , 125 , 126 , 133 , 136 , 138 ].…”

Food consumption based on the nutrient profile system underlying the Nutri-Score and renal function in older adults

“…Healthy dietary patterns, based on fresh products and rich in fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber are inversely associated with kidney function decline [7], CKD [8], and CKD mortality [9]. On the contrary, Westernized diets, high in energy, saturated fat, sugar, salt, and ultra-processed foods, have been associated with higher mortality [10,11], several chronic diseases including CVD [12,13], and kidney function decline [14].…”