Study: Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Risk of Early Death

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The Facts

  • According to a 30-year study published in the British Medical Journal on Wednesday, a higher intake of ultra-processed food is linked to a slightly elevated risk of early death.

  • The study, which examined 115K participants, found that those who consumed an average of seven servings of ultra-processed food daily had their risk of mortality increase by 4% compared to those who had three servings a day.

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The Spin

Narrative A

Not all ultra-processed foods have been linked to increased mortality, as some healthy options, such as multigrain bread, also fall under that umbrella. The hype around ultra-processed foods is really about the broader issue of people eating poor, unbalanced diets with low nutritional content, which some ultra-processed foods can actually help alleviate.

The Conversation

Narrative B

The science surrounding ultra-processed foods is still fraught and murky, but the existing evidence strongly suggests that avoiding them altogether is best for individual health. In addition to the additives and unhealthy ingredients used in them, ultra-processed food undergoes chemical changes that can have additional health consequences. From obesity to diabetes and cancer, the body of evidence against ultra-processed foods is continuing to grow.

New York Times

Metaculus Prediction