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Review
. 2022 Nov;24(11):849-860.
doi: 10.1007/s11883-022-01061-3. Epub 2022 Sep 7.

Ultra-processed Foods and Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes: from Evidence to Practice

Filippa Juul  1 , Andrea L Deierlein  2   3 , Georgeta Vaidean  4 , Paula A Quatromoni  5 , Niyati Parekh  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Ultra-processed Foods and Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes: from Evidence to Practice

Filippa Juul et al. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Poor diet quality is the leading risk factor related to the overall cardiometabolic disease burden in the USA and globally. We review the current evidence linking ultra-processed foods and cardiometabolic health risk and provide recommendations for action at the clinical and public health levels.

Recent findings: A growing body of evidence conducted in a variety of study populations supports an association between ultra-processed food intake and increased risk of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity trajectories, and cardiovascular disease. The strongest evidence is observed in relation to weight gain and obesity among adults, as this association is supported by high-quality epidemiological and experimental evidence. Accumulating epidemiologic evidence and putative biological mechanisms link ultra-processed foods to cardiometabolic health outcomes. The high intake of ultra-processed foods in all population groups and its associated risks make ultra-processed foods an ideal target for intensive health promotion messaging and interventions.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Diet quality; Dietary guidelines; NOVA; Obesity; Processed food; Type 2 diabetes.

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