Are you someone who enjoys indulging in packaged baked goods, snacks, fizzy drinks, sugary cereals, and ready-to-eat or heat foods every once in a while? If so, you might want to reconsider your dietary choices. Indulging in packaged baked goods, crispy snacks, soft drinks, and other instant foods might seem harmless at a glance, but recent research suggests otherwise.
A comprehensive 30-year-old study published in The BMJ, a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal, indicates that consuming these ultra-processed foods could have serious consequences, potentially shortening your lifespan and increasing the risk of early death.
The study, conducted by an international team of researchers from the US, Brazil, and China, carefully tracked the health of 74,563 female registered nurses from 11 US states between 1984 and 2018. Additionally, 39,501 male health professionals from all 50 US states, with no history of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes, were closely monitored from 1986 to 2018.
Individuals who consumed an average of 7 servings per day of ultra-processed foods were found to have a 4% higher risk of total deaths and a 9% higher risk of other deaths, including an 8% higher risk of neurodegenerative deaths. The rate of death from any cause among participants in this group was 1,536 per 100,000 person-years.
Among the ultra-processed foods studied, those containing meat, poultry, and seafood-based ready-to-eat products showed the strongest association with early death. This was followed by sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, dairy-based desserts, and ultra-processed breakfast foods. While the findings are concerning, it’s important to note that this study is observational, so, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect.
However, the researchers suggest that limiting the consumption of certain types of ultra-processed foods could be beneficial for long-term health. They also recommend further studies to refine the classification of ultra-processed foods and validate these findings in other populations.
In light of this research, it’s crucial to rethink our dietary habits and consider the long-term implications of our food choices. While packaged snacks and fizzy drinks may offer convenience and temporary satisfaction, their regular consumption could come at a cost to our health and longevity. Making informed decisions about what we eat is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and ensuring a longer, more vibrant life.
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