Premature deaths in Brazil attributed to ultra-processed foods amid calls for effective food policy

07 Nov 2022 --- A total of 57,000 premature deaths in Brazil were attributed to the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in 2019, according to research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Although Brazilians consume far fewer of these products than the citizens of high-income nations, the research found that increased consumption of these foods was linked to more than 10% of all-cause premature, preventable deaths in Brazil in 2019.

“Previous modeling studies have estimated the health and economic burden of critical ingredients, such as sodium, sugar and trans fats and specific foods or drinks, such as sugar-sweetened beverages,” says Dr. Eduardo Nilson, lead study investigator, Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, University of São Paulo and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil.

“To our knowledge, no study has estimated the potential impact of UPFs on premature deaths. Knowing the deaths attributable to the consumption of these foods and modeling how changes in dietary patterns can support more effective food policies might prevent disease and premature deaths.”

Disease outcomes and policies
In Brazil, reducing UPF consumption by 10% to 50% can avoid 5,900 to 29,300 early deaths annually.

Research has found that premature Brazilian deaths are linked to UPF consumption.“Consumption of UPFs is associated with many disease outcomes, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers and other diseases and it represents a significant cause of preventable and premature deaths among Brazilian adults,” adds Dr. Nilson.

“Even reducing consumption of UPFs to the levels of just a decade ago would reduce associated premature deaths by 21%. Policies that disincentivize the consumption of UPFs are urgently needed.”

The development of more effective food policy options to support healthier food environments can be aided by having a tool to estimate the deaths attributable to the consumption of UPFs.

This tool can also assist countries in estimating the burden of dietary changes related to industrial food processing.

Replacing staple foods
In many countries, traditional foods and meals made from fresh and minimally processed ingredients have been gradually replaced by UPFs – industrial formulations that are ready to eat or heat and are made with ingredients extracted from foods or created in laboratories.

Prepackaged sauces, frozen pizza, prepared dinners, hot dogs, sausages, drinks, ice cream and store-bought cookies, cakes, sweets and doughnuts are some examples of UPFs.

Reducing UPF consumption by 10% to 50% in Brazil may avoid 5,900 to 29,300 early deaths annually.Dr. Nilson observed that over time in Brazil, the consumption of traditional whole foods – like rice and beans – was replaced by UPFs.

It may take a variety of interventions and public health measures, such as fiscal and regulatory policies, changing the food environment, stepping up the implementation of food-based dietary guidelines and enhancing consumer knowledge, attitudes and behavior, to reduce the consumption of UPFs and promote healthier food options.

Accessing UPFs impact
Using data from nationally representative dietary surveys, the research team estimated baseline intakes of UPFs by sex and age group. Data from 2019 was collected to perform statistical studies and finally determine the percentage of overall deaths related to the use of UPFs and the effects of reducing UPF intake by 10%, 20% and 50% within those age categories.

UPF consumption in Brazil throughout the study ranged from 13% to 21% of total dietary intake across all age categories and sex groups. In 2019, there were 541,260 premature deaths among individuals aged 30 to 69, of which preventable, noncommunicable diseases caused 261,061.

The model discovered that almost 57,000 fatalities that year, or 10.5% of all premature deaths and 21.8% of all deaths from avoidable, noncommunicable diseases in individuals aged 30 to 69, could be linked to the use of UPFs.

The researchers hypothesized that the projected impact would be considerably more significant in high-income nations like the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, where UPFs make up more than half of total calorie intake.

Brain health and taxing UPFs
NutritionInsight previously reported on a study that found the consumption of UPFs is increasing, especially among the elderly (aged 60 and above). Additionally, a connection between eating processed foods and memory decline in elderly populations was discovered.

Meanwhile, UK researchers urged “more radical and effective” public health actions to minimize children’s exposure to highly processed foods. The researchers also proposed that UPFs should be taxed and minimally processed foods should be subsidized.

Edited by Nicole Kerr