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

• 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. thehill.com
• 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. Global News
• The subjects — American adults with no history of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes — completed food questionnaires every four years between 1986 and 2018. CBS (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• The researchers found that some ultra-processed foods, including processed meats, white bread, potato chips, and sugary foods and beverages — including diet soda — were linked to higher mortality rates. Washington Post (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• Besides mortality, ultra-processed foods — defined by the UN as foods containing ingredients "never or rarely used in kitchens" — were linked to a 9% increase in the risk of neurodegenerative deaths. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, an average of 57% of daily energy intake among American adults is derived from ultra-processed food. thehill.com

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 (LR: 2 CP: 3)

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 (LR: 2 CP: 5)

Nerd narrative:

• There's a 50% chance that at least 70.1% of Americans will be obese or overweight in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
  METACULUS (LR: 3 CP: 3)