Mixed
High intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with increased risk for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), though causal mechanisms remain to be fully established.
While observational studies link high UPF intake to obesity and CMD risk, the exact mechanisms are complex. Focus on reducing intake of foods high in added sugars, sodium, and low in fiber, as these are common in UPFs. Be aware that 'processed' does not always mean 'unhealthy', but UPFs often contribute to excess energy intake.
More recently, high intake of foods classified as 'ultra-processed foods (UPFs)...' may negatively contribute to the United States dietary pattern in ways that may increase risk for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases (CMD)... There has been an influx of observational research suggesting associations between high intakes of UPFs and increased risk for obesity and CMDs.
Why this rating
The evidence is largely observational with some controlled feeding trials; causal mechanisms are not fully established.
Source
Perspective: A Research Roadmap about Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health for the United States Food System: Proceedings from an Interdisciplinary, Multi-Stakeholder Workshop
Lauren E O’Connor et al. · Advances in Nutrition · 2023
DOI 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.09.005
More from this paper
- Current dietary assessment methods for UPF intake are limited and require improvement, including better classification algorithms and exposure assessment tools.Good
- UPF intake may influence energy intake and metabolic responses through factors like energy density, eating rate, and hyper-palatability, but these mechanisms are not yet fully understood.Moderate
Related findings · Mixed
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