‘Ultra-processed’ foods linked to more than 10% of premature deaths

Diet plays a huge role in our health and wellbeing. Certain vitamins and minerals, for example, ensure our bodies function as they are meant to. However, in the same way some food can boost your health, others can cause problems.According to a new study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, a diet high in ultra-processed food could have serious consequences.It linked these foods to an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer as well as all-cause mortality.Specifically it concluded that higher consumption of these foods was associated with more than 10 percent of all-cause premature, preventable deaths in Brazil in 2019.Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations of substances derived from foods (oils, fats, sugars, starch, protein isolates) that contain ‘little or no whole food’ and are often added with flavours, colours, emulsifiers, and other additives for cosmetic purposes.READ MORE: ‘Nothing could be done’: Singer Andrea Bocelli on his lifelong health battle – symptoms Ultra-processed foods have been shown to raise the risk of conditions such as heart disease (Image: Getty Images)Examples of ultra-processed foods include:Ice creamHamSausagesCrispsSome mass-produced breadBreakfast cerealsBiscuitsCarbonated drinksFruit-flavoured yoghurtsInstant soupsFrozen pizzaReady mealsSome alcoholic drinks such as whisky, gin, and rum.As part of the research, which was conducted by academics at the University of São Paulo, the team cross-referenced data on national food consumption in Brazil between 2017 and 2018, with demographic and mortality data for 2019.It found that eating ultra-processed foods was responsible for around 57,000 premature deaths among 541,160 Brazilian adults – aged between 30 and 69 – in 2019.However, the researchers believe that in high income countries such as the UK, the United States, Canada, and Australia, where ultra-processed foods make up more than half of total caloric intake, the impact would be even higher.DON’T MISSAcholic stools are ‘the most common’ sign of pancreatic cancer in ‘initial’ stages [CANCER]TV presenter Jonnie Irwin reveals terminal cancer diagnosis [CELEBRITY]’Excessive’ sweating known as hyperhidrosis could signal five medical emergencies [EXPERT] Ultra-processed food includes ready meals, frozen pizza, sausages and ham (Image: Getty Images) Diet can play a part in how long you live (Image: Express.co.uk)Over the period studied, consumption of ultra-processed foods ranged from 13 percent to 21 percent of total food intake in Brazil.This is an increase compared to 20 years ago.’Over the last 2 decades, the contribution of ultra-processed food to the total energy intake of the Brazilian population has continuously increased by replacing fresh foods and culinary preparations on the basis of fresh and unprocessed foods,’ the study warns.’The consumption of traditional whole foods and meals, such as rice and beans in Brazil, has gradually decreased, giving place to ready-to-eat ultra-processed food.’