Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 25: Consuming an additional 100 grams of ultra-processed food (UPF) per day was associated with a 14 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular events, according to a new study published in the journal Family Medicine and Community Health.

The study examined the association between higher ultra-processed food consumption and several chronic health outcomes. It found that greater UPF intake was associated with higher risks of obesity or overweight, metabolic syndrome or diabetes, depression or anxiety, digestive diseases, cancer and all-cause mortality.

According to the findings, higher UPF consumption was associated with a 23 per cent increased risk of obesity or overweight, 24 per cent higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes, 27 per cent higher risk of depression or anxiety, 31 per cent higher risk of digestive diseases, 12 per cent higher risk of cancer and 18 per cent higher risk of all-cause mortality.

The researchers also found that each additional 100 grams of UPF consumed per day was associated with an 11 per cent higher risk of hypertension, 14 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular events, 4 per cent higher risk of cancer and 3 per cent higher risk of all-cause mortality.

In addition, every 10 per cent increase in weight or energy intake was associated with a 16 per cent higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes.

The findings highlight concerns over the potential long-term health effects associated with frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, as their intake has increased considerably in recent years.