Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Adult Diabetes Risk: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis.

Sajjad Moradi, Mohammad Ali Hojjati Kermani, Reza Bagheri, Hamed Mohammadi, Ahmad Jayedi, Melissa M Lane, Omid Asbaghi, Sanaz Mehrabani, Katsuhiko Suzuki

Journal: Nutrients 2022;13(12):4410

PMID: 34959961

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Plain Language Summary

The growing incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the major healthcare concern worldwide. The aim of this study was to build on previous work by synthesizing the findings of observational studies investigating the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and the risk of T2DM. This study is a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of five studies. Of the five included studies, four were prospective cohort study designs and the other was cross-sectional. Results demonstrate that higher UPF intake was associated with an increased risk of T2DM. Additionally, increasing the intake of processed foods by 10% leads to a 15% increase in the risk of T2DM. A linear positive association was found between UPF intake and the risk of T2DM. Authors conclude by pointing out that to be able to estimate better the actual burden of UPF intakes, new tools should be adapted or progressed to evaluate all UPF consumption dimensions, namely food class, UPF foods specific components, their effects on health and specific processes or additives.

Abstract

(1) Background: Recent individual studies have demonstrated that consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) may be related to type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to synthesize the results from these individual studies by conducting an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies evaluating the association between UPF consumption and the risk of T2DM. (2) Methods: A systematic search was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus electronic databases from inception up to August 2021. Data were extracted from five studies (one cross-sectional study and four cohort studies, totaling 230,526 adults from four different countries). Risk ratios (RR) of pooled results were estimated using a random-effects model. (3) Results: Our results revealed that higher UPF consumption was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM (RR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.22; I = 68.9%; < 0.001; = 5). Linear dose-response analysis indicated that each 10% increase in UPF consumption (kcal/d) was associated with a 15% higher risk of T2DM (RR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.26; I = 86.0%; < 0.001; = 5) among adults. Non-linear dose-response analysis demonstrated a positive linear association between UPF consumption and T2DM ( = 0.13, < 0.001; = 5) among adults. (4) Conclusions: A higher intake of UPF was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM. However, underlying mechanisms remain unknown and future experimental studies are warranted.

Address: Halal Research Center of IRI, FDA, Tehran 314715311, Iran.; Nutritional Sciences Department, School of Nutritional Sciences and Food Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6715847141, Iran.; Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14167-53955, Iran.; Department of Exercise Physiology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran.; Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14176-13151, Iran.; Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14176-13151, Iran.; IMPACT (The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation), Food & Mood Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3217, Australia.; Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14167-53955, Iran.; Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran.; Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa 359-1192, Japan.

DOI: 10.3390/nu13124410