Moving towards a Healthier Dietary Pattern Free of Ultra-Processed Foods

Abstract

In recent years, ultra-processed food (UPF) intake has increased worldwide, representing almost 60% of total dietary intake in several countries such as the USA and the UK, and around 17 to 24% in the Mediterranean countries, such as Spain and Italy, respectively [1]. Thereupon, this increase has been directly associated with global changes in dietary patterns and the increase in obesity and chronic diseases prevalence. For this reason, there is a growing interest in its impact on health and whether its high consumption could be considered as an unhealthy diet descriptor [2]. Currently, it is well documented that high consumption of UPF is associated with a worse cardiometabolic risk profile and a higher risk of cardiovascular (CVD), cerebrovascular disease, cancer, frailty, overweight and obesity, altered renal function, depression, and all-cause mortality [1,3]. In fact, the Moli-Sani study [4] reported that high consumption of UPFs is associated with a 58% increased risk of CVD mortality, 52% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease/cerebrovascular causes, and 26% higher risk of all-cause mortality independently of previously known risk factors, including a global assessment of overall diet quality as reflected by adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Similar results were reported in secondary CVD prevention [1].