A supermarket aisle displaying many ultra-processed foods
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured foods that are designed to be convenient, palatable, and affordable. These foods often contain multiple ingredients and additives such as preservatives, sweeteners, colorings, and emulsifiers, which are not typically found in home kitchens. They tend to be low in fiber and high in calories, salt, added sugar and fat, which are all related to poor health outcomes when eaten excessively. Common examples include packaged snacks, soft drinks, ready meals, and processed meats.[1][2]
Consuming ultra-processed foods has serious negative health effects on human health. They are a leading cause of preventable chronic illnesses and premature death globally. For example, about 678,000 Americans die each year from chronic food illnesses, a toll higher than all combat deaths in American history combined.[3][4] Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a significantly higher risk of obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.[5][6]
Health effects of consuming ultra-processed foods
Obesity and weight gain
Consumption of ultra-processed foods is strongly associated with obesity and weight gain. Individuals with diets high in ultra-processed foods consume approximately 500 more calories per day compared to those consuming unprocessed foods, resulting in around a pound of weight gain per week.[7][8]
Ultra-processed foods are designed to be highly palatable, typically combining high levels of sugar, fat, and salt to enhance flavor and texture.[9] These foods often lack fiber and protein, which are essential for promoting the feeling of fullness and help regulate appetite.[10] Additionally, the high glycemic index of many ultra-processed foods can cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, which further stimulates hunger and overeating.[11] Consuming relatively high levels of ultra-processed foods is linked to structural changes in brain regions that regulate appetite and reward. These brain changes are partly explained by heightened body fat and inflammation.[12]
A diagram displaying the impact of fast food, a common ultra-processed food, on the human body.
Cancer
People who consume 10% more ultra-processed foods have increased risk of overall cancer and breast cancer, along with a 23% higher risk of head and neck cancer and a 24% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, a cancer that grows in the glands that line the inside of organs.[13][14] In addition, high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer.
A breast cancer cell, photographed by a scanning electron microscope, which produces a 3-dimensional images. The overall shape of the cell's surface at a very high magnification. Cancer cells are best identified by internal details, but research with a scanning electron microscope can show how cells respond in changing environments and can show mapping distribution of binding sites of hormones and other biological molecules.
Diabetes
A 2023 meta-analysis of 415,554 participants found that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption led to a 12% higher risk for type 2 diabetes.[15][16] These foods often have a high glycemic index, leading to rapid spikes in blood sugar, a leading contributor to developing type 2 diabetes.[17][18] These foods also often contain additives such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners that may disrupt gut microbiota and metabolic processes, contributing to an increased risk in developing type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.[19][20]
Some specific types of ultra-processed foods that have been associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes include: Refined breads, sauces, spreads, condiments, artificially and sugar-sweetened beverages; animal-based products; and ready-to-eat mixed dishes.[21][22]
Heart and cardiovascular disease
Ultra-processed foods often contain trans fats and high levels of saturated fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels and lower HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels. Elevated LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease.[23][24] The high content of added sugars in many ultra-processed foods can lead to obesity, inflammation, and high blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for heart and cardiovascular disease.[25] Ultra-processed foods often contain excessive amounts of sodium, which if consumed too often can lead to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.[26][27]
In September 2024, a meta-analysis, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, found that participants with the highest consumption of UPF had a 17% increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with the lowest consumption.[28][29]
Health organizations worldwide, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Heart Association (AHA), recommend reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods to lower the risk of heart disease. They advocate for diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to promote heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease.[30][31]
Association with all-cause mortality
In March 2025, a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies, published in Systematic Reviews, found that participants with the highest consumption of UPF had a 15% increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with the lowest consumption. The study also observed a 10% higher risk of all-cause mortality with each 10% increment in UPF consumption.[32]
How to identify ultra-processed foods
Identifying ultra-processed foods can often be done by carefully reading the food labels on the packaging. The following may indicate an ultra-processed food:
Long ingredient list: Foods that contain many ingredients (often more than three), especially those that could not be found in a kitchen, are likely to be ultra-processed. Some ingredients to look for to identify these foods could be added sugar, vegetable oil, artificial sweeteners, multiple preservatives, emulsifiers and shelf-life extenders such as sorbic acid, calcium propionate, datem, and monoglycerides.[33][34]
Artificial sugars: Ultra-processed foods with artificial sugars typically contain aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame-k, saccharin or stevia.[35] These sweeteners are often used to reduce calorie content while maintaining sweetness, and their presence, along with other additives, is a hallmark of extensive food processing.[36][37]
Claims on the packaging: Ultra-processed foods are often heavily marketed and come in packaging with health claims like "low-fat," "sugar-free," or "fortified with vitamins." These claims can sometimes mask the extensive processing involved.[38]
↑ Chen, Zhangling; Khandpur, Neha; Desjardins, Clémence; Wang, Lu; Monteiro, Carlos A.; Rossato, Sinara L.; Fung, Teresa T.; Manson, Joann E.; Willett, Walter C.; Rimm, Eric B.; Hu, Frank B.; Sun, Qi; Drouin-Chartier, Jean-Philippe (28 February 2023). "Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes". Diabetes Care. 46 (7). Diabetes Journals: 1335–1344. doi:10.2337/dc22-1993. PMC10300524. PMID36854188. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
↑ Chen, Z.; Khandpur, N.; Desjardins, C.; Wang, L.; Monteiro, C. A.; Rossato, S. L.; Fung, T. T.; Manson, J. E.; Willett, W. C.; Rimm, E. B.; Hu, F. B.; Sun, Q.; Drouin-Chartier, J. P. (2023). "In the meta-analysis". Diabetes Care. 46 (7). PubMed: 1335–1344. doi:10.2337/dc22-1993. PMC10300524. PMID36854188.
↑ "Healthy diet". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
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