---
title: "Higher Ultra-Processed Food Intake Linked to Greater Risk of Multiple Chronic Diseases"
id: "medical-news-today-0-every-extra-100-grams-of-ultra-processed-foods-tied-to-greater-disease-risk"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-every-extra-100-grams-of-ultra-processed-foods-tied-to-greater-disease-risk"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "General"
source_name: "Medical News Today"
source_url: "https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/every-extra-100-grams-of-ultra-processed-foods-tied-to-greater-disease-risk/"
published_at: "2026-09-23T16:00:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Verified Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# Higher Ultra-Processed Food Intake Linked to Greater Risk of Multiple Chronic Diseases
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-every-extra-100-grams-of-ultra-processed-foods-tied-to-greater-disease-risk
- **Specialty:** [General](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md)
- **Primary Source:** Medical News Today
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/every-extra-100-grams-of-ultra-processed-foods-tied-to-greater-disease-risk/)
- **Published At:** 2026-09-23T16:00:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Verified Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- A large meta-analysis of 51 prospective cohort studies (total 8,819,894 participants) found that higher consumption of **ultra-processed foods (UPFs)** was associated with elevated risks of multiple chronic conditions and all-cause mortality. - Compared with lower consumption, higher UPF intake was associated with: 24% higher risk of cardiovascular events, 12% higher cancer risk, 23% higher obesity/overweight risk, 24% higher metabolic syndrome/diabetes risk, 27% higher depression/anxiety risk, 31% higher risk of digestive diseases, and 18% higher risk of death from any cause. - Dose-response findings: every additional 100 g/day of UPFs was associated with a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events, 11% higher risk of high blood pressure, 4% higher cancer risk, 3% higher risk of all-cause death, and 2% higher risk of metabolic syndrome/diabetes. - The analysis included studies from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania with participant ages averaging 23–77 years and follow-up of 2–32 years; dietary assessment methods varied (food-frequency questionnaires, 24-hour recalls, dietary histories). - Proposed mechanisms include excess sugar, salt, and calories; additive “cocktail effects”; changes to the **gut microbiome**; processing-related compounds (e.g., acrylamide, acrolein); nutrient losses; and packaging-related contaminants such as microplastics. - The authors caution that associations do not prove causation: data relied on self-reported dietary assessments, potential residual confounding by lifestyle factors, and exclusion of participants under 18 limit generalizability and causal inference. - Practical implications emphasize reducing UPF consumption and substituting minimally processed foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds) as part of chronic disease prevention and primary care guidance. - The analysis calls for further research to clarify additive interactions, processing-specific mechanisms, and more precise quantification of how different UPF components contribute to disease risk.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
[Medical News Today](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/) * Health Conditions Health Conditions * [Alzheimer's & Dementia](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/alzheimers-and-dementia) * [Anxiety](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/anxiety) * [Asthma & Allergies](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/asthma-and-allergies) * [Atopic Dermatitis](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/program/investigating-atopic-dermatitis) * [Breast Cancer](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/breast-cancer) * [Cancer](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/cancer) * [Cardiovascular Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/cardiovascular-health) * [COVID-19](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/coronavirus?correlationId=2b137d5a-dcfb-464e-9ea6-72c5a54b4e92) * [Diabetes](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/diabetes) * [Endometriosis](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/endometriosis) * [Environment & Sustainability](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/environment-and-sustainability) * [Exercise & Fitness](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/exercise-and-fitness) * [Eye Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/eye-health) * [Headache & Migraine](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/headache-and-migraine) * [Health Equity](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/health-equity) * [HIV & AIDS](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/hiv-and-aids) * [Human Biology](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/human-biology) * [Leukemia](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/leukemia) * [LGBTQIA+](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/LGBTQIA) * [Men's Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/mens-health) * [Mental Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/mental-health) * [Multiple Sclerosis (MS)](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/multiple-sclerosis) * [Nutrition](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/nutrition) * [Parkinson's Disease](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/parkinsons-disease) * [Psoriasis](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/psoriasis) * [Sexual Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sexual-health) * [Ulcerative Colitis](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/program/investigating-ulcerative-colitis) * [Women's Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/womens-health) * Health Products Health Products [All](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews) * [Nutrition & Fitness](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/nutrition-and-fitness-products) * [Vitamins & Supplements](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/vitamin-and-supplement-products) * [CBD](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/cbd-products) * [Sleep](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/sleep-products) * [Mental Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/mental-health-services-and-products) * [At-Home Testing](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/at-home-testing-products) * [Men’s Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/mens-health-products) * [Women’s Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/products-and-reviews/womens-health-products) * Discover News * [Latest News](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/news) * [Medicare 2026 Costs](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medicare-costs-3-key-changes-in-2026) Original Series * [Medical Myths](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/content-series/medical-myths) * [Honest Nutrition](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/content-series/honest-nutrition) * [Through My Eyes](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/content-series/through-my-eyes) * [New Normal Health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/content-series/new-normal-health) Podcasts [All](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/in-conversation-podcast) * [ADHD in women: Breaking the stereotypes](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/adhd-women-breaking-stereotypes-masking-attention-disorder) * [Is sleep the missing piece in mental health?](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-sleep-the-missing-piece-in-mental-health) * [Artificial sweeteners and brain aging: What we know so far](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/artificial-sweeteners-and-brain-aging-what-we-know-so-far) * [Does the Mediterranean diet hold the key to longevity?](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/does-the-mediterranean-diet-hold-the-key-to-longevity) * [AMA: Registered dietitian answers 5 key questions about fiber and weight loss](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-fiber-help-lose-weight-dietitian-answers-5-key-questions) * [Health misinformation and disinformation: How to avoid it](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/health-misinformation-and-disinformation-how-to-avoid-it) * Tools General Health * [Drugs A-Z](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/drugs) * [Health Hubs](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/content-hubs) * [Newsletter](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/newsletter) * [Medicare Plans by State](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/about/health-medicare-state-coverage) Health Tools * [Find a Doctor](https://connect.medicalnewstoday.com/) * [BMI Calculators and Charts](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323586) * [Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327077) * [Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316898) * [Sleep Calculator](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sleep-calculator) Quizzes * [RA Myths vs Facts](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/science-fact-or-fiction-separating-ra-myths-from-facts#1) * [Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/managing-blood-sugar-type-2-diabetes-quiz#1) * [Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/complementary-therapies-for-as-quiz#1) * Connect About Medical News Today * [Who We Are](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/about) * [Our Editorial Process](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/process) * [Content Integrity](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/about/content-integrity) * [Conscious Language](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/about/conscious-language) Find Community * [Bezzy Breast Cancer](https://www.bezzybc.com/lp/2/?verzenio&utm_source=mnt&utm_medium=nav-bar-connect) * [Bezzy MS](https://www.bezzyms.com/?utm_source=mnt&utm_medium=nav-bar-connect) * [Bezzy Migraine](https://www.bezzymigraine.com/?utm_source=mnt&utm_medium=nav-bar-connect) * [Bezzy Psoriasis](https://www.bezzypsoriasis.com/?utm_source=mnt&utm_medium=nav-bar-connect) Follow Us [](https://www.facebook.com/MedicalNewsToday/)[](https://x.com/mnt)[](https://www.instagram.com/medicalnewstoday/)[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mednewstoday/?originalSubdomain=ec)[](https://flipboard.com/@MedNewsToday) Subscribe # Every extra 100 grams of ultra-processed foods tied to greater disease risk Written by Peter Morales-Brown on September 23, 2026 — Fact checked by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. ![A shopping cart in a grocery store aisle.](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/getty_135205216_header_1296x728-1024x575.jpg)[Share on Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com%2Farticles%2Fevery-extra-100-grams-of-ultra-processed-foods-tied-to-greater-disease-risk&media=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.post.rvohealth.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F09%2Fgetty_135205216_header_1296x728-1024x575.jpg&description=More%20ultra-processed%20foods%20in%20the%20diet%20linked%20to%20higher%20disease%20risk "Share on Pinterest") A new analysis indicates that higher ultra-processed food intake is linked to multiple chronic health risks and death. Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / Getty Images * **A new study suggests that higher ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was associated with greater risks of several health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, digestive diseases, depression, anxiety, and death from any cause.** * **The findings suggest that every additional 100 grams of UPFs consumed per day was associated with a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events, 11% higher risk of**high blood pressure** , 4% higher cancer risk, 3% higher risk of death from any cause, and 2% higher risk of metabolic syndrome/diabetes.** * **The researchers suggest that additives and compounds formed during processing may affect the gut microbiome and contribute to inflammation or insulin resistance, although the mechanisms are not yet fully understood.** * **However, the analysis relied in part on self-reported dietary information and could not fully account for broader lifestyle factors, so the findings do not establish cause and effect.** [Ultra-processed foods (UPFs)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10260459/) are generally ready-to-eat or heat-and-serve products that have undergone extensive industrial processing. They [often contain](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334945695_FAO_Ultra-processed_foods_diet_quality_and_health_using_the_NOVA_classification_system) additives and tend to be relatively high in [calories](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245588), [sugar](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324673) and [salt](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/too-much-salt), while containing less [dietary fiber](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146935), [protein](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196279), [vitamins](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/195878), and [minerals](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-dosage) than minimally processed foods. Common examples [include](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318630) packaged snacks, processed meat products, sugary drinks, and some ready-made meals. Consumption of these foods has [increased](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772566925002241) substantially in many parts of the world in recent decades, prompting researchers to investigate associations between UPF consumption and health risks. **Now, a large analysis of previous research suggests that eating larger amounts of UPFs may be associated with an increased risk of several chronic health conditions.** The analysis, published in [Family Medicine and Community Health](https://fmch.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/fmch-2026-003925), found that higher UPF consumption was associated with increased risks of [cardiovascular disease](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257484), [cancer](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323648), [obesity and overweight](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323551), [metabolic syndrome](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263834) and [diabetes](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323627), [depression](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8933) and [anxiety](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323454), [digestive diseases](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/list-of-digestive-disorders), [high blood pressure](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150109), and death from any cause. ## Higher UPF intake associated with several health risks For the new analysis, researchers searched databases for relevant studies published up until the end of April 2026. They identified 51 prospective cohort studies that met their criteria. The studies were conducted in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania and included a total of 8,819,894 participants. Participants had average ages ranging from 23 to 77 years, while follow-up periods ranged from 2 to 32 years. Researchers assessed participants’ UPF consumption using methods including food-frequency questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recalls, and dietary histories. They examined the relationship between UPF consumption and several health outcomes. **Overall, people consuming more ultra-processed food had higher risks of several chronic health conditions and death from any cause.** Compared with lower consumption, higher UPF intake was associated with: * 24% higher risk of cardiovascular events * 12% higher risk of cancer * 23% higher risk of obesity or overweight * 24% higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes * 27% higher risk of depression or anxiety * 31% higher risk of digestive diseases * 18% higher risk of death from any cause. The researchers also examined whether risk changed with increasing amounts of UPF consumption. For every additional 100 grams (g) of UPFs consumed per day, they found an associated: * 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events * 11% higher risk of high blood pressure * 4% higher risk of cancer * 3% higher risk of death from any cause * 2% higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes. The analysis also found that every 10% increase in weight or energy intake was associated with a 16% higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes. “I wasn’t surprised to see ultra-processed foods linked to so many different diseases,” lead author [David Xiao Liu](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Xiao-Liu-46), MD, PhD, Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, told _Medical News Today_. “There had already been quite a few individual studies reporting associations between ultra-processed food and specific conditions — our meta-analysis brought all of that together in one place,” Liu added. > “Ultra-processed foods affect the body through multiple pathways simultaneously — excess sugar, salt, and calories; food additives; loss of nutrients during processing; and contaminants introduced by packaging — so it makes sense that the health consequences would show up across many organ systems rather than just one.” > – David Xiao Liu, MD, PhD However, it is important to note that these figures describe associations rather than proof that ultra-processed foods directly cause these conditions. ## Why might ultra-processed foods affect health? The researchers point to several possible explanations. UPFs can contain combinations of additives and other ingredients that may affect health. Previous research has also suggested that combining multiple additives could produce what experts call a potential “cocktail effect.” **“The “cocktail effect” refers to the idea that it’s not just individual additives that matter, but what happens when multiple additives combine and interact inside the body,” Liu explained to _MNT_.** “A [French cohort studyTrusted Source](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-98496-6) of about 100,000 people found that people’s exposure to different food additives tends to cluster into recognizable patterns — people aren’t exposed to just one additive at a time, but to whole mixtures. And there’s evidence these combinations can be more harmful together than any single ingredient alone,” he told us. “For example, a mix of food colorings and sodium benzoate has [been linkedTrusted Source](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736\(07\)61306-3/abstract) to increased ADHD symptoms in children. [Animal studiesTrusted Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16352620/) have found that combinations of dyes like Brilliant Blue with flavor enhancers like glutamate and sweeteners like aspartame may have greater neurotoxic effects than any of them individually,” said Liu. “This is still an area that needs much more research — we need larger human studies specifically designed to tease apart how different additive combinations interact,” he cautioned. Other research also indicates that the physical and chemical changes involved in extensive food processing [may affect](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11901572/) the [gut microbiome](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/307998) and potentially contribute to processes such as [inflammation](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423) and [insulin resistance](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305567). “There’s already substantial research showing that different foods have distinct effects on gut microbial composition,” Liu noted. > “The additives and preservatives in ultra-processed foods may have particularly strong effects on gut bacteria, altering the structure of the microbiome in ways that promote chronic inflammation and disease — not just digestive conditions, but potentially cardiovascular disease and other systemic illnesses as well. This is an important area for future research.” > – David Xiao Liu, MD, PhD Certain compounds produced during food processing may also be relevant. For example, [acrylamide](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091743523001780?via%3Dihub) can form when some foods are exposed to high temperatures, while [acrolein](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9266280/) can be produced when fats are heated. Research suggests that both of these compounds have been associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, the precise mechanisms linking UPF consumption with long-term health remain an area of ongoing research. “Nutritional content is certainly a big part of the picture — the high sugar, high salt, and excess calories in these foods are well-established risk factors,” Liu added. “But processing itself adds additional concerns,” he told us. “For one, it introduces a range of additives: A study published in [Nature Medicine](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10334259/) found that artificial sweetener commonly used in sugary drinks can increase platelet aggregation, promoting blood clotting and raising heart disease risk.” “For another, the processing itself causes loss of beneficial nutrients like vitamins. And then there’s the packaging — processing and packaging [can introduce microplastics](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11918686/), which research now shows accumulate widely in the human body and may contribute to cardiovascular and other diseases,” he continued. “That said, it’s very difficult to quantify exactly how much each of these factors contributes to disease, because ‘ultra-processed food’ covers an enormous range of products, each with different additives, different processing methods, and different packaging — so it’s hard to assign a precise share of blame to any single mechanism,” Liu admitted. ## The findings have important limitations While highlighting an association, the study cannot establish that eating ultra-processed foods directly causes chronic disease or premature death. **One important limitation is that all of the included studies relied on participants’ dietary assessments. Food-frequency questionnaires and dietary recalls can be affected by difficulties accurately remembering or estimating food intake.** The researchers also excluded people younger than 18, meaning the findings cannot necessarily be applied to children or adolescents. Additionally, people who eat more UPFs may differ from those who consume less in several other ways. Diet is often part of a broader pattern of lifestyle and behavior. This means that researchers may not be able to completely account for how every factor other than UPF intake could affect long-term health. ## What does this mean for diet? The findings add to a growing body of research examining potential links between UPF consumption and long-term health. **Rather than focusing on a single food or ingredient, the researchers suggest that reducing UPF consumption and replacing these foods with minimally processed alternatives could be relevant to chronic disease prevention and primary care.** For individuals, this could mean emphasizing foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and other minimally processed foods, while considering how frequently UPFs appear in their overall dietary plan. “One challenge is that most countries don’t yet have labeling that tells consumers whether a food is ultra-processed
## Related Clinical Research

- [Keto Diet Shows Superior Metabolic Benefits Over Mediterranean and Low-Fat Diets](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-1-keto-diet-may-have-metabolic-advantages-over-mediterranean-low-fat-diets.md)
- [Coffee consumption associated with lower visceral fat, higher muscle mass, and hormonal differences](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-coffee-drinking-linked-to-less-abdominal-fat-more-muscle-better-hormone-balance.md)
- [PMOS/PCOS and Risk Signals for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Evidence Review](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/endocrine-news-0-could-pmos-pcos-be-linked-to-alzheimer-s-disease-and-dementia.md)
- [Obesity-associated inflammation and cancer: mechanisms linking adipose immune changes to tumor risk](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/frontiers-in-immunology-6-obesity-associated-inflammation-and-cancer-molecular-mechanisms-evidence-gaps.md)
- [FDA approves Zenbexus (iberdomide) for multiple myeloma, first of a novel drug class](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-1-stat-fda-approves-bristol-multiple-myeloma-treatment-marking-debut-of-novel.md)

## Navigation
- [← Back to General Feed](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md)
- [← All Clinical Specialties](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed.md)
## Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer

> [!CAUTION]
> MedicHelpline content is structured for research, educational, and professional discovery purposes. It does not constitute individual medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.
> Always verify dosing, contraindications, and regulatory alerts against official product labeling and primary regulatory sources before clinical decision-making.