Potential reductions in ultra-processed food consumption substantially improve population cardiometabolic-related dietary nutrient profiles in eight countries

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases, 2022-12, Vol.32 (12), p.2739-2750
• Main Authors: Martinez Steele, E., Marrón Ponce, J.A., Cediel, G., Louzada, M.L.C., Khandpur, N., Machado, P., Moubarac, J.-C., Rauber, F., Corvalán, C., Levy, R.B., Monteiro, C.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.08.018

BACKGROUND AND AIMSThe negative effect on dietary nutrient profiles is the most obvious mechanism explaining the higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases associated with increased dietary share of UPF observed in large cohort studies. We estimate the proportion of diets with excessive energy density, excessive free sugars or saturated fat contents and insufficient fiber that could be avoided, if UPF consumption was reduced to levels among lowest consumers across eight countries, as well as the proportion of diets with multiple inadequacies. METHODS AND RESULTSUsing nationally-representative cross-sectional surveys from Brazil (2008-09), Chile (2010), Colombia (2005), Mexico (2012), Australia (2011-12), the UK (2008-16), Canada (2015), and the US (2015-16), inadequate energy density (≥2.25 kcal/g) or contents of free sugars (>10% of total energy intake), saturated fats (>10% of total energy intake) and fiber (