Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Over 124,000 Preventable Deaths in the US

A major new study has linked ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to more than 124,000 preventable deaths every year in the United States alone. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine on April 28, the global study found that for every 10% increase in UPFs as part of total energy intake, the risk of death from all causes rises by 2.7% (Healthline).

Ultra-processed foods are often highly engineered products—think frozen dinners, packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and processed meats—that are made with little or no whole food ingredients. These products are frequently loaded with additives like colorants, emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, and flavor enhancers that make them taste good and last longer on shelves. But they come with a heavy price for human health.

The research, led by Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, DSc, of Brazil’s Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), analyzed national diet and mortality data from eight countries including the US, UK, Australia, and Brazil. The findings were consistent: the more UPFs people consumed, the higher their mortality risk—regardless of the country’s overall UPF consumption levels.

Worryingly, the United States had the highest death toll tied to these foods. With over half of Americans’ daily calories now coming from UPFs, experts say this trend is not just alarming but deadly. Dana Hunnes, a dietitian at UCLA, called them “stripped of all their naturally occurring health properties,” noting that UPFs offer calories without real nutrition.

For those committed to wellness, Animal rights, and environmental sustainability, ditching ultra-processed foods in favor of whole plant-based alternatives is a simple but powerful step. These foods are kinder to your body, to animals, and to the planet. Let’s stop settling for synthetic and start choosing real.

Video Source: WJZ/Youtube

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