New Research Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes Beyond Traditional Nutrients
A recent study has found that ultra-processed foods are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, with clues suggesting that the processing itself, not just high levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat, may play a significant role. The research, conducted by scientists at University College London and Imperial College London, followed 6,010 British civil servants over many years, analyzing their dietary habits and blood samples. Participants, who were free of heart disease or diabetes at the time of blood sampling in the late 1990s, provided food questionnaires covering 127 items. The study categorized foods using the Nova system, which classifies items based on their processing level. It found that those in the highest third of ultra-processed food intake had a 23% higher cardiovascular disease risk and an 18% higher diabetes risk compared to those in the lowest third. Conversely, higher consumption of minimally processed foods was associated with an 18% lower risk of cardiov...
