Ultra-processed food has made a bad name for itself over the years, considering its aptitude for wreaking havoc on our health that results in cardiovascular disease, obesity and certain forms of cancer, just to name a few, due to an immense amount of fat, salt, and sugar. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that type 2 diabetes affected 425 million people in 2017, with an estimated projection of 629 million cases by 2045.1
New research is painting an even more dramatic – and disturbing – picture around a serious tie between ultra-processed food and type 2 diabetes that, if left unchecked, could cause us to continue down a dangerous path. How might the food and beverage industry be impacted? And what is the best course of action for consumers, so they emerge safe from these choppy waters?
The Latest Research Findings
Information from a new study issued by the University College London (UCL) and published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, dove into the degree of the tie between ultra-processed food and the risk for type 2 diabetes, as well as which foods were of the highest risk.2
In the study, researchers looked at the intake of ultra-processed foods among 311,892 people over eight European countries, and for nearly 11 years. During that period, researchers found that 14,236 participants ultimately developed type 2 diabetes. It was also reported that each 10% increase in the intake of ultra-processed foods was tied with a 17% increase in type 2 diabetes risk.
The study showed that the most high-risk ultra-processed food groups were those that unfortunately fill many of our cupboards, fridges and freezers – savory snacks, animal-based products, ready to eat/microwaveable meals, and sugary drinks.
Naturally, it makes sense then that the study reports the risk for developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced by consuming less ultra-processed foods.
This Isn’t the First Time
Exploring how ultra-processed food could contribute to type 2 diabetes is not a new effort, though as research continues, more and more is understood and further corroborates the suspicion that the two are heavily linked.
In December of 2019, JAMA conducted a study in which consumption of ultra-processed food established an increased risk in developing type 2 diabetes.3 Responses were assessed from a questionnaire delivered to over 100,000 individuals without diabetes, at an average age of 43, over six years. Participants who ate the most ultra-processed foods – around 22% over their overall diet – had a higher risk for developing diabetes compared to those who ate the least amount of ultra-processed foods, which was around 11%. The findings indicated that the risk for developing type 2 diabetes went up 15% for a 10-percentage-point increase in the amount of ultra-processed food in their diets.
Turning Off the Revenue Tap
Clearly, in looking at UCL’s study (as well as JAMA’s study and others like it), a substantial shift in how we approach diet is crucial.
However, a change in dietary habits could have ultra-processed food manufacturers running scared. As nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables ideally start to replace popular foods like chips, pizza, burgers and hot dogs, as well the array of sodas laden with sweeteners, the message to these manufacturers is clear: Shape up or ship out.
With this, ultra-processed food manufacturers need to consider reformulation of their products – even a shift to processed, or even better, minimally-processed – will be a step in the right direction. Otherwise, they should brace themselves for serious financial repercussions.
But we cannot leave it to these manufacturers to give us the nutrition we need. It is our responsibility as consumers to ensure we are making smart nutritional choices, avoiding nutritionally-dead foods that only widen the scope of serious global health problems.
The World Health Organization reports that about 422 million people across the world have diabetes,4 so let’s be instruments for change, starting with our diets.
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References
- Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Participants of the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort. JAMA Network website. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2757497 December 16, 2019.
- Replacing ultra-processed foods in diet may reduce type 2 diabetes risk. UCLH BRC website. https://www.uclhospitals.brc.nihr.ac.uk/news/replacing-ultra-processed-foods-diet-may-reduce-type-2-diabetes-risk September 27, 2024
- Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Participants of the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort. JAMA Network website. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2757497 December 16, 2019.
- Diabetes. World Health Organization website. https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1
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