Ultra-Processed Foods and Cardiometabolic Risk: From Evidence to Policy

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) dominate diets in high-income countries and pose health risks beyond nutrient composition. Controlled trials show UPF-rich diets increase energy intake and weight gain. Mechanisms include high energy density, disrupted food matrices, faster eating rates, additives affecting gut, and hyper-palatable formulations. Observational evidence associates higher UPF intake with obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and all-cause mortality. This Comment outlines evidence and policy strategies to reduce UPF exposure.