Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 100948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100948 Dr. Fernanda Rauber et al.
Points
- The research investigates how ultra-processed foods (UPF) affect the link between plant-sourced food consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes.
- The study analyzed data from 126,842 UK Biobank participants aged 40–69, collected through dietary recalls from 2009 to 2012, with a median follow-up of 9 years.
- Foods were categorized as plant-sourced or animal-sourced and further classified into non-UPF and UPF, expressed as a percentage of total energy intake.
- A 10% increase in plant-sourced non-UPF consumption was associated with a 7% lower risk of CVD and a 13% lower risk of CVD mortality.
- Plant-sourced UPF consumption was linked to a 5% increased risk of CVD and a 12% higher mortality rate, underscoring the negative impact of food processing on cardiovascular health.
Summary
The research addresses the gap in understanding the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on the relationship between plant-sourced food consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. By analyzing a large cohort of British adults, the study aims to evaluate the CVD risk associated with different food groups based on their origin (plant or animal) and processing categories.
The study utilized data from UK Biobank participants aged 40–69 who completed multiple 24-hour dietary recalls between 2009 and 2012 (n = 126,842), with a median follow-up of 9 years. It linked this information to hospital and mortality records. Food groups were categorized as plant-sourced or non-plant/animal-sourced, further classified into non-UPF and UPF, and expressed as a percentage of total energy intake for analysis.
The results revealed that a 10 percentage points increase in plant-sourced non-UPF consumption was associated with a 7% lower risk of CVD and a 13% lower risk of CVD mortality. Conversely, plant-sourced UPF consumption showed a 5% increased risk of CVD and a 12% higher mortality rate. The study highlighted the adverse effects of UPF consumption on CVD risk and mortality, emphasizing the importance of considering food processing in dietary choices for cardiovascular health, even within plant-based diets.
Link to the article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(24)00115-7/fulltext
References Rauber, F., Laura Da Costa Louzada, M., Chang, K., Huybrechts, I., Gunter, M. J., Monteiro, C. A., Vamos, E. P., & Levy, R. B. (2024). Implications of food ultra-processing on cardiovascular risk considering plant origin foods: An analysis of the UK Biobank cohort. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 100948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100948
