A study published in the JAMA, Journal of Internal Medicine, has found a connection between consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risk of mortality and chronic diseases in middle-aged adults.

The study assessed 44,551 adults from France who were 45 or older. The study was launched in 2009 and ran through December 15, 2017. The participants were asked to keep three 24-hour dietary records during the first two years of follow-up. From these individuals, a “10% increase in the proportion of ultra-processed food consumption was statistically significantly associated with a 14% higher risk of all-cause mortality.”

Participants were separated into groups. The ultra-processed group ate anything that was ready-to-eat, frozen, or made mostly from ingredients combined with additives. 602 deaths were recorded during the follow-up.

After adjusting for any other possible factors, the authors of the study did conclude that “ultra-processed foods consumed was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality.”

Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, as research on the topic is still new and very limited. They do speculate that additives, packaging, and processing, are mostly likely the factors that are affecting health negatively.

For more information on this topic: Avoiding ‘ultraprocessed’ foods may increase lifespan, study says – CNN

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