FROM FOX NEWS: A major new study found that eating more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – especially those with certain additives – is tied to higher mortality from any cause over about 11 years of follow-up.
Researchers looked at nearly 187,000 adults in the U.K. ages 40 to 75 using data gathered from the U.K. Biobank, and tracked their diets and health for 11 years. The study was published in the journal eClinicalMedicine.
Participants filled out multiple online food diaries describing what they ate in a 24-hour period. To figure out how much UPF and which additives (MUPs) people were really eating, the team matched those reported foods to actual supermarket products, checking ingredient labels for 57 potential markers of MUPs, only some of which are traditional additives.
Each food was scored based on how likely it was to contain a given additive.
Then, for every person, researchers calculated what percentage of their total daily food intake came from UPFs or specific additives.
The dietary patterns were compared with death records from national health registries to determine how they were linked to increased mortality. Five additive categories had a higher all-cause mortality (relative to the study’s lowest-risk intake point).
The five additives were:
- Flavors (flavored food)
- Flavor enhancers
- Coloring agents
- Sweeteners like acesulfame, saccharin and sucralose (not sugar)
- Varieties of sugar including fructose, inverted sugar, lactose, and maltodextrin
In general, diets consisting of more than 18% UPFs increased the risk of mortality. At 30% of total intake, risk rose by 6%. Risk was 14% higher at 40% of diet, and 19% higher at 50% of diet.
Ultra-processed foods linked to higher death risk in major study
“When people’s diet consisted of more than 18% UPFs, the risk of mortality began increasing. At 30% of total intake, risk rose by 6%. Risk was 14% higher at 40% of diet, & 19% higher at 50%” https://t.co/2V9epS3KVd
— John R Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) September 8, 2025
