New research across eight countries has linked heavy consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) to a higher risk of dying young.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, every additional 10% of calories from ultra-processed foods such as packaged bread, cake, instant noodles, and ready-to-eat meals, increases the likelihood of dying before age 75 by 3%.
The findings show that processed foods are responsible for a significant number of early deaths – about 124,000 each year in the United States and nearly 18,000 annually in England.
Lead researcher Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, explained that the danger isn’t just the fat, salt, and sugar packed into these foods. Harmful additives like artificial sweeteners, flavour enhancers, and chemical preservatives also contribute to serious health risks.
The research covered dietary and mortality data from the United States, England, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. Countries where people consume a higher share of their daily calories from processed foods face the steepest risks:
In England, processed foods make up 53.4% of daily calories.
In the U.S., it’s even higher at 54.5%.
Deaths linked to processed food consumption were highest in England (13.8% of early deaths), followed closely by the U.S. (13.7%).
Nilson noted: “Every 10% rise in intake of highly processed foods corresponded to a 3% increase in the risk of dying from any cause. These foods impact the body not only through unhealthy nutrients but also through industrial processing and chemical additives that damage health over time.”
While high-income countries bear the greatest burden today, middle- and low-income nations are also seeing rising risks as eating habits shift.
Urgent Action
The researchers called for governments worldwide to act urgently by tightening food marketing rules, restricting sales of highly processed foods in schools and offices, and considering taxes on products like packaged snacks and sugary cereals.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence linking highly processed foods to chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes — and an overall higher risk of dying prematurely. However, researchers noted that while a strong association was found, it does not yet prove direct causation.
Other recent studies have reached similar conclusions. For instance, research published last year in the BMJ found that individuals who eat the most processed foods have a 4% higher risk of death overall and a 9% higher chance of dying from causes unrelated to cancer or heart disease. Products like processed meats, sugary drinks, and packaged breakfast cereals were highlighted as particularly unhealthy.
Responding to growing concerns, a spokesperson for the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care said: “We have already restricted junk food advertising aimed at children and given local authorities new powers to block fast food outlets near schools. We are also investing in research to better understand the full health impacts of processed foods.”
We asked AI to give examples of ultra-processed foods in Nigeria, and this is what it came up with:
In Nigeria, common ultra-processed foods include: