Bombshell Report: Popular Foods Linked to More US Deaths Than Fentanyl
A new report reveals that widely consumed ultra-processed foods may be costing more American lives prematurely than fentanyl. Researchers who analyzed diet surveys and death records estimated that 120,000 people in the US passed away prematurely in 2018 potentially linked to eating these types of food. By comparison, the latest data shows fentanyl overdoses caused 73,000 deaths in 2022. Over the two-year period between 2017 and 2018, estimates for premature deaths attributable to ultra-processed food consumption in the United States ranged from 96,795 to 125,224 based on statistical modeling.
Ultra-processed foods, packed with saturated fats, sugars, and artificial additives, are believed to fuel deadly conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The study examined diets across eight countries, including the US and UK, mapping the consumption of these foods against mortality rates. It found that one in seven of nearly 1 million premature deaths across the examined countries could be tied directly to ultra-processed foods.
Examples cited in connection with the findings include processed meat, candy, ice cream, and even some seemingly healthy salads and breads. Specifically, the study’s associated data points to items like lunch meat often bought for convenience.
Ultra-processed foods now make up more than half of the calories consumed by the average American, representing a higher proportion than in any other country studied. Researchers found that for every 10% increase in ultra-processed food in a person’s diet, the risk of passing away early jumped by 3%.
Dr. Eduardo Nilson, lead study author from Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, noted that these foods affect health beyond just their high content of critical nutrients like sodium, trans fats, and sugar. This is because of the changes that occur during industrial processing, which involves using artificial ingredients including colorants, artificial flavors, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and many other additives and processing aids. Evaluating deaths from all causes linked to ultra-processed food consumption allows for an overall estimate of the effect of industrial food processing on health.
While independent researchers cautioned that the findings do not definitively prove a direct link between ultra-processed foods and early death, calling for additional studies, the report presents compelling correlations.
Beyond the significant US numbers, the study also estimated more than 25,000 premature deaths in Brazil during the years 2017-2018 were due to poor health outcomes tied to ultra-processed foods. During the same period, statistical models showed more than 17,000 premature deaths in Britain and 17,000 in Mexico could be similarly attributed. Canada had over 7,700. It is suggested that countries with smaller numbers comparatively often have more regulation in place than the United States.
Specific ingredients and additives found in many common ultra-processed foods have been linked to various health concerns:
- Additives like calcium propionate in foods like Pop-Tarts, Nutrigrain bars, and Wonderbread, designed to prevent spoilage, may increase insulin resistance and diabetes risk.
- Coloring dyes like yellow five and yellow six in products such as Cheetos, soda, and Doritos have been linked to hyperactivity in children.
- High fructose corn syrup, used in items like ketchup, Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce, and Coca-Cola, has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and liver disease.
- Nitrates in processed meats like Slim Jims and Hillshire Farms DeliFresh packages have been shown to cause certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
- Corn starch, found in Twinkies, Teddygrams, and Zebra Cakes, has been shown to increase blood sugar.
- Foods high in saturated fats, like Stouffer’s lasagnas and Lean Cuisines, are concerning.
- Emulsifiers, which help hold things like ice cream together, may potentially cause inflammation and irritation in the gut.
- The dyes in popular chips like Doritos, Cheetos, and Ruffles, among other factors in ultra-processed foods, are potentially linked to a wide range of issues including asthma, wheezing, mental health issues, adverse sleep outcomes, anxiety, common mental disorders, depression, metabolic health problems, hypoglycemia, being overweight plus obese, overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Many of these foods are designed for long shelf life. In contrast, making similar foods at home often avoids these problematic ingredients.
Given these findings, focusing on reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods seems prudent. A simple goal for many people could be to look for foods with as few ingredients as possible. Foods that are generally not ultra-processed include steak, fresh meats, organic meats, most fruits, and most vegetables. Sticking with single, double, or triple ingredient items is suggested as a fair goal. While often more expensive and time-consuming than packaged options, choosing fresh, minimally processed foods could significantly impact health.
