Tuesday 5 April 2022

'Ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes' - should we be surprised?

Ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes

This meta-analysis found that moderate and high consumption of ultra-processed foods increased the risk for type 2 diabetes in a dose-dependent manner.

Background
The NOVA food classification system covers four food categories according to the level of processing that they have undergone. Group 4 represents ultra-processed foods made from substances extracted from whole foods (e.g., oils, fats, sugar, starch, and proteins), sourced from components of foods (hydrogenated fats and modified starch), or made in laboratories (flavour enhancers and dyes).

Ultra-processed foods include pre-prepared meals, packaged bread, and soft drinks. These low-cost, high-calorie, readily available foods make up an increasing portion of people's diets and may be worsening the global rates of type 2 diabetes. Indeed, observational studies have found an association between some groups of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, specifically processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages, but no previous meta-analyses had assessed the associated risk of type 2 diabetes for ultra-processed foods as a whole.

The study
This meta-analysis of 18 longitudinal studies in over 1 million participants assessed the association between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The main analysis compared moderate and high ultra-processed food intake to non-consumption. Additional analyses were performed to assess the association between the dose response of ultra-processed foods and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The results
Of the 18 studies, 13 (72%) found associations between ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Compared to non-consumption, a moderate intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 12% increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and a high consumption was associated with a 31% increased risk.

A moderate intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 12% increased risk of type 2 diabetes in men and an 11% increased risk in women. High intake was associated with a 37% increased risk in men and a 25% increased risk in women.

Consuming ultra-processed food 2–4 times a week was associated with a 20% increased risk of type 2 diabetes, with a 44% increased risk for consuming ultra-processed food 5 or more times a week.

Note
Three of the studies in this meta-analysis used the NOVA food system. For these studies, a high intake of ultra-processed food was associated with a 48% increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but no significant association was found for moderate consumption.
Above from article here
h/t Marks Daily Apple here


As regular readers know, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, music and recipes!

However, not all the recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

31 comments:

  1. ...we are our own worst enemies.

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  2. Not surprising at all! You really can't beat fresh foods.

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  3. Lo mejor son los alimentos fresco y sin azucares ni procesados. Gracias por el consejo. Te mando un beso.

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  4. We are doing harm to ourselves many don't realize the harm in over processed foods.

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  5. We eat very little ultra-processed food, and think we're healthier for it. Fresh is best!

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  6. Not surprised at all. And horrified at just how many of them there are in the supermarkets.

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  7. That's all we need, thanks is infor Jan.

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  8. Thanks for this report!
    cooking fresh without all that quick-cooking off the shelf stuff and frozen ready-to-eat food.. there's something wonderful about the taste!
    I'm glad I got back to this food shape.
    Greetings Elke

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  9. I think we're all aware by now that cooking with fresh, unprocessed food is best for our health, yet processed food is still big business.

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  10. Hello,

    The processed foods are bad, fresh veggies and fish are the best.
    Take care, have a happy day!

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  11. I always avoid excessively processed food.

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  12. Yes and there's so much of it around, people just load it into their trolleys without a thought. Bread is a big one for me really, you buy a loaf of sliced bread without thinking that it's processed.

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  13. Buena información. No suelo comprar este tipo de alimentos.
    Buen martes.
    Un abrazo.

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  14. A very interesting study -- and great food for thought.

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  15. Thankfully, we buy mostly fresh foods, frozen when the cost is too high, and compared to what we see on checkout counters hardly any processed food items compared to other shoppers. That said, sometimes it is easier and more convenient for some people despite the research showing negative results.

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  16. Thank you and hi!

    This is an interesting study. It is so good to share this.

    Thanks to my dietitian, I am now on a healthy diet in connection with my histamine intolerance. Only fresh food. Your blog confirms how important good food is. And that we should see it as a blessing. And take more time to work on it.

    Kind regards from the Netherlands.

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  17. You can't beat fresh food.

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  18. This is really no surprise! Valerie

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  19. No surprise there and that's all most people eat...what a shame..

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  20. The food industry is making more stimulating foods that are literally killing us. I read a quote that said, "If you keep eating the standard American diet, you will keep getting the standard American diseases= All these processed foods are not good for us.

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  21. Shopping the perimeter is best.

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  22. Gracias por tus informaciónes, siempre son muy buenas. Besos.

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  23. It's a shame since processed foods are sooo easy :( but no, not surprising.

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  24. This has certainly warned me to watch out for processed food!xxx

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  25. There is really gruesome stuff goes into some ultra processed foods and when you start finding out what some of it is actually like it's hardly surprising that it's not good for you. Good for you to flag this up. I am quite into gut health these days, kefir, fermented veggies etc. What do you think about those?

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  26. Jenny Woolf said...
    There is really gruesome stuff goes into some ultra processed foods and when you start finding out what some of it is actually like it's hardly surprising that it's not good for you. Good for you to flag this up. I am quite into gut health these days, kefir, fermented veggies etc. What do you think about those?

    Hello Jenny
    Many thanks for your comments and question.

    Fermenting has many health benefits and is a provider of 'good' bacteria that contributes to a healthy digestive system. This style of food preparation has played an important role in traditional diets for centuries. The process not only preserves the food, but it also produces beneficial enzymes, vitamins, and various probiotics.

    Kefir, a probiotic cultured drink can be good to include in your diet as it contains multiple strains of bacteria and yeast. Kefir is rich in minerals and vitamins, particularly the B vitamins and vitamin K.

    You may be interested in reading this post about Fermenting and its health benefits.
    https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/2016/12/fermenting-and-its-health-benefits.html

    As I type this reply it's a Friday evening ...
    I wish you a good weekend ahead.

    All the best Jan

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  27. I need to tell you both. We had cauliflower cheese as part of our evening meal. Not not as good as cheesy leeks!

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The best of health to you and yours.

Eddie