Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Vitale, Marilena; Costabile, Giuseppina; Testa, Roberta; D’Abbronzo, Giovanna; Nettore, Immacolata Cristina; Macchia, Paolo Emidio; Giacco, Rosalba

doi:10.1016/j.advnut.2023.09.009

Cited by 27 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It is also argued that the category of UPFs encompasses a wide variety of products and ingredients that could have different effects on health ( 1 , 32 ). For example, one study demonstrated that excluding foods with more than 25% whole grains from the classification of UPFs did not alter the association between UPFs and cardiometabolic risk factors ( 49 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made from modified and unmodified substances extracted from foods, which include few or no whole foods (1). These products result from intensive industrial processing and contain food additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers, flavorings, bulking agents, among others, which are used to extend the product's shelf life and improve its sensory qualities (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Ultra-processed foods consumption and health-related outcomes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Aramburu,

Alvarado-Gamarra,

Cornejo

et al. 2024

Front. Nutr.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionThe increase in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) intake has raised concerns about its impact on public health. Prospective observational studies have reported significant associations between higher intake of UPFs and adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine whether these associations could be confirmed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsWe conducted a systematic review to analyze the evidence on the effects of UPFs intake on health. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, and CENTRAL up to April 22, 2024. RCTs in English, Spanish, and Portuguese evaluating the health effects of interventions to modify UPFs intake were included. The certainty of evidence was determined using the GRADE methodology.ResultsThree educational intervention studies and one controlled feeding trial were included, evaluating the effect of reducing the consumption of UPFs (455 participants, median follow-up, 12 weeks). No significant effects were observed in 30 out of the 42 outcomes evaluated. The controlled feeding trial in adults with stable weight showed a reduction in energy intake, carbohydrates, and fat (low certainty of evidence), as well as in body weight, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol (moderate certainty of evidence). In the educational intervention studies, a reduction in body weight and waist circumference was observed (low certainty of evidence) in women with obesity, as well as improvement in some dimensions of quality of life (very low certainty of evidence). No significant changes were observed in children and adolescents with obesity, while in overweight pregnant women, the consumption of UPFs was not reduced, so the observed benefits could be attributed to other components of the intervention.ConclusionInterventions aimed at reducing the consumption of UPFs showed benefits on some anthropometric and dietary intake outcomes, although significant effects were not observed for most of the evaluated outcomes. The limited number and significant methodological limitations of the studies prevent definitive conclusions. Further well-designed and conducted RCTs are needed to understand the effects of UPF consumption on health.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023469984

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultra-processed foods consumption and health-related outcomes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Aramburu,

Alvarado-Gamarra,

Cornejo

et al. 2024

Front. Nutr.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A systematic review of UPF consumption and the incidence of dyslipidemia from 2024 found only three studies that met the inclusion criteria. However, their meta-analysis of these three studies showed a relative risk of incidence of dyslipidemia in high UPF consumption of 1.47 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.93), with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 46%, p = 0.16) [31]. Another study from The Journal of Nutrition followed 13,548 adults aged 45-65 for a median follow-up of 27 years and compared incident rates of CAD between the highest and lowest quartiles of UPF consumption, finding a hazard ratio of 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.35) [32].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

Emerging Trends in Atherosclerosis: Time to Address Atherosclerosis From a Younger Age

Almohtasib,

Fancher,

Sawalha

2024

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Over the past two decades, research efforts into cardiovascular disease (CVD) have uncovered findings that fundamentally challenge our understanding of CVD, particularly atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis was primarily attributed to the well-described abnormal lipid accumulation theory, involving plaque growth with subsequent plaque hemorrhage resulting in acute vessel thrombosis that may or may not rupture. This perspective has now evolved to encompass more complex pathways, wherein the accumulation of abnormal products of oxidation and inflammation is the most likely factor mediating atherosclerotic plaque growth. Furthermore, atherosclerosis was traditionally thought of as a disease in patients aged 40 and older. However, mounting evidence has demonstrated that significant atherosclerosis and CVD events are more prevalent in younger patients than previously realized and accelerating in incidence. With this alarming trend among younger individuals, our review sought to explore why this trend may be happening and what can be done about this developing problem.

show abstract

“…It is also argued that the category of UPFs encompasses a wide variety of products and ingredients that could have different effects on health (1,32). For example, one study demonstrated that excluding foods with more than 25% whole grains from the classification of UPFs did not alter the association between UPFs and cardiometabolic risk factors (49).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previously, numerous reviews analyzed the health effects of UPF consumption based on evidence from observational studies. However, reviews of observational studies have limitations, such as the inclusion of studies that use different methods to assess UPF intake (67), different models for adjusting covariates (67, 68), heterogeneous doses of intake between higher and lower exposure groups (1,68), different classification systems and reference units (1,46), as well as variable follow-up periods (69). Therefore, considering the growing importance of UPFs in shaping global nutrition policies and guidelines, high-quality clinical trials are needed to overcome these limitations and define causality mechanisms that cannot be solely inferred from observational studies (33).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Data_Sheet_1.docx

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Cited by 27 publications

References 46 publications

Ultra-processed foods consumption and health-related outcomes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Ultra-processed foods consumption and health-related outcomes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Emerging Trends in Atherosclerosis: Time to Address Atherosclerosis From a Younger Age

Data_Sheet_1.docx

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About