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A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition looked at the link between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD affects a significant portion of the global population, with about 15% of adults in the United States estimated to be affected. While previous research has explored associations between diet and CKD risk, less is known about the impact of food processing.
When foods are processed, it is changed from its natural state. Often this will be minimal! The food may be dried or roasted, frozen or pasteurized to make them safer to store and consume. When foods are ultra-processed, they likely have a number of added ingredients. These can include sugar, salt, fat, or artificial colors and preservatives. Frozen meals, soft drinks, hot dogs, and salty snacks are all examples of UPFs.
Study Data
This study systematically reviewed data from various databases to identify relevant studies that examined the relationship between UPF intake and CKD risk. Eight studies involving over 500,000 people were included in the review, all published after 2021 and conducted in various countries. The findings revealed that individuals with the highest intake of UPFs had an 18% increased risk of chronic kidney disease compared to those with the lowest intake. A linear association was observed between UPF consumption and CKD risk, with each 10% increase in energy from UPFs associated with a 7% higher risk of CKD.
Takeaways
Despite some heterogeneity among the studies, subgroup and sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the findings. However, the use of food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs) for dietary assessment in most studies may have introduced bias. Additionally, the generalizability of the findings is limited as most studies were conducted in Western populations.
The study suggests a significant association between UPF consumption and CKD risk. This highlights the importance of further research in diverse populations and the need for dietary interventions to mitigate CKD risk.
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