Eddy Edson
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
A new review, worth a look. I would summarise the conclusion: We really don't know why UPF can lead to weight increases etc and the "UPF" label is much too broad & simplistic, but as a precautionary message it makes sense to recommend limiting them.
Defining the extent of food processing that may be associated with negative health outcomes remains a challenge for the field. Various types of processing remain an integral aspect of providing a safe food system. While the NOVA classification remains the most frequently used method of categorizing foods by level of processing, emerging classification systems seek to build on the limitations of the NOVA classification to provide a more accurate assessment of processing.
Epidemiological research suggests that UPF consumption is pervasive and contributes a substantial amount of daily total energy intake in individuals around the world. There has been an observed ecological trend that countries with higher UPF consumption generally have a higher obesity prevalence. However, this trend is not observed in all countries, and differences may be attributable to sociodemographic characteristics or other related factors.
Despite the growing literature documenting the potential increase in weight gain and adverse health outcomes in children, adolescents, and adults from the consumption of UPFs, there has only been one randomized clinical trial specifically assessing the effects of UPF consumption [87]. Therefore, most of what is known about UPFs is based on observational cohort studies, limiting conclusions to associations rather than causation.
Several plausible mechanisms including increased energy intake, changes to the gut microbiome, alterations in the gut–brain satiety signaling, and hormonal effects have been proposed as plausible explanations of the observed associations between UPF and both weight gain and risk for chronic disease development. Further research to examine the causal effect of consuming UPFs on weight gain and adverse health outcomes is warranted.
Given that UPFs tend to be more energy-dense than nutrient-dense, cautionary recommendations to limit UPF consumption would be unlikely to lead to any additional risk or harm, and would more plausibly lead to a nutritional benefit. Therefore, while awaiting further research, recommendations to limit or restrict UPF consumption would likely lead to more benefit than harm.
Ultra-processed Foods, Weight Gain, and Co-morbidity Risk
link.springer.com
Defining the extent of food processing that may be associated with negative health outcomes remains a challenge for the field. Various types of processing remain an integral aspect of providing a safe food system. While the NOVA classification remains the most frequently used method of categorizing foods by level of processing, emerging classification systems seek to build on the limitations of the NOVA classification to provide a more accurate assessment of processing.
Epidemiological research suggests that UPF consumption is pervasive and contributes a substantial amount of daily total energy intake in individuals around the world. There has been an observed ecological trend that countries with higher UPF consumption generally have a higher obesity prevalence. However, this trend is not observed in all countries, and differences may be attributable to sociodemographic characteristics or other related factors.
Despite the growing literature documenting the potential increase in weight gain and adverse health outcomes in children, adolescents, and adults from the consumption of UPFs, there has only been one randomized clinical trial specifically assessing the effects of UPF consumption [87]. Therefore, most of what is known about UPFs is based on observational cohort studies, limiting conclusions to associations rather than causation.
Several plausible mechanisms including increased energy intake, changes to the gut microbiome, alterations in the gut–brain satiety signaling, and hormonal effects have been proposed as plausible explanations of the observed associations between UPF and both weight gain and risk for chronic disease development. Further research to examine the causal effect of consuming UPFs on weight gain and adverse health outcomes is warranted.
Given that UPFs tend to be more energy-dense than nutrient-dense, cautionary recommendations to limit UPF consumption would be unlikely to lead to any additional risk or harm, and would more plausibly lead to a nutritional benefit. Therefore, while awaiting further research, recommendations to limit or restrict UPF consumption would likely lead to more benefit than harm.
