Research

Macro partitioning

Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with significantly increased intake of free sugars, saturated and trans fats, sodium, and energy density, while decreasing intake of dietary fiber and potassium.

To improve your nutrient intake, reduce the proportion of ultra-processed foods in your diet. This category includes mass-produced packaged breads, ready meals, fast food, pastries, and sugary drinks. Replacing these with unprocessed or minimally processed foods (like fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains) will naturally lower your intake of harmful sugars, sodium, and saturated fats while increasing beneficial fiber and potassium.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
A positive and statistically significant linear trend was found between quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption and intake levels of free sugars... total... saturated... and trans fats... sodium and diet energy density... while an inverse relationship was observed for dietary fibre and potassium.
Priscila Machado et al. · BMJ Open · 2019

Why this rating

Large nationally representative sample (n=12,153) with robust statistical adjustment, though cross-sectional design limits causal inference.

Source

Ultra-processed foods and recommended intake levels of nutrients linked to non-communicable diseases in Australia: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study

Priscila Machado et al. · BMJ Open · 2019

cross_sectional · n=12153Cited 265×
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