Consumption of ultra-processed foods and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the Southern Community Cohort Study

A high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with higher total mortality in an adult Mediterranean population

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has been associated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, although this association has not been sufficiently investigated in Mediterranean populations. We aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality in an adult population in Spain.

METHODS

We analysed data from 1,538 participants aged 20 years and above in the Valencia Nutrition Survey in 1995. Diet was assessed at baseline using a validated food frequency questionnaire and the consumption of UPF was calculated using the NOVA system. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and presence of diseases was also collected at baseline. Cause of death was ascertained during an 18-year follow-up period. We used Cox regression and competing risk models as proposed by Fine and Gray's to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CI).

RESULTS

After 18 years of follow-up, we documented 312 deaths (36.5 % of CVD and 25.6 % of cancer). Compared with participants in the lowest tertile of UPF consumption, those in the highest tertile showed 40 % higher risk of all-cause mortality, HR 1.40 (95 %CI: 1.04-1.90), and evidence of a higher CVD mortality, HR 1.39 (95 %CI: 0.80-2.41) and of cancer mortality, HR 1.53 (95 %CI: 0.83-2.82).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that a high UPF consumption is associated with a higher all-cause mortality in a Mediterranean population after a long follow-up period. Considering the increase in UPF consumption and their detrimental health effects on mortality, these results should be confirmed by other studies in other populations.

Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of cardiovascular events: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Background

Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption continues to increase worldwide. However, evidences from meta-analyses are limited regarding the effects on cardiovascular events (CVEs).

Methods

A meta-analysis was performed to assess the dose-response relationship of UPF consumption and CVEs risk (including the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular causes, and myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, coronary intervention). Databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for observational studies published in English language up to October 24, 2023. Generalized least squares regression and restricted cubic splines were used to estimate the linear/nonlinear relationship. PROSPERO CRD 42023391122.

Findings

Twenty studies with 1,101,073 participants and 58,201 CVEs cases with a median follow-up of 12.2 years were included. A positive linear relationship between UPF intake and CVEs risk was identified. In addition, positive correlation between coronary heart disease and UPF consumption in terms of daily serving and daily energy proportion. No significant association of UPF consumption with the risk of cerebrovascular disease was observed. Briefly, 10% increase of UPF by daily weight proportion was associated with a 1.9% increase of CVEs risk (RR = 1.019; 95% CI, 1.007-1.031; P = 0.002), an additional daily serving corresponding to 2.2% CVEs risk increase (RR = 1.022; 95% CI, 1.013-1.031; P < 0.001), and 10% increase by daily energy proportion corresponding to 1.6% CVEs risk increase (RR = 1.016; 95% CI, 1.002-1.030; P = 0.022).

Interpretation

UPF consumption were associated with a higher risk of CVEs in the positive linear relationship. Our findings highlight the importance of minimizing UPF consumption for cardiovascular health and might be help to pursue public health policies in control of UPF consumption.

Funding

This work was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province (2023-ZDLSF-22), the Innovative Talent Support Program of Shaanxi Province (2022KJXX-106), and the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province (2023-YBSF-424).