A Systematic Review on Processed/Ultra-Processed Foods and Arterial Hypertension in Adults and Older People

Abstract

The increase in the availability of processed and ultra-processed foods has altered the eating patterns of populations, and these foods constitute an exposure factor for the development of arterial hypertension. This systematic review analyzed evidence of the association between consumption of processed/ultra-processed foods and arterial hypertension in adults and older people. Electronic searches for relevant articles were performed in the PUBMED, EMBASE and LILACS databases. The review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The search of the databases led to the retrieval of 2323 articles, eight of which were included in the review. A positive association was found between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and blood pressure/arterial hypertension, whereas insufficient evidence was found for the association between the consumption of processed foods and arterial hypertension. The results reveal the high consumption of ultra-processed foods in developed and middle-income countries, warning of the health risks of such foods, which have a high energy density and are rich in salt, sugar and fat. The findings underscore the urgent need for the adoption of measures that exert a positive impact on the quality of life of populations, especially those at greater risk, such as adults and older people.

Maternal Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods-Rich Diet and Perinatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…There is growing evidence that high consumption of UPFs is indicative of low diet quality and associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular and metabolic diseases, hypertension, worse cardiometabolic risk profile, and a higher risk of all-cause mortality in adult and older populations [ 91 , 92 , 93 ]. Regarding the pregnancy period, a recent systematic review [ 27 ] indicated that high UPF consumption in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy had negative repercussions on health in general but no meta-analysis was performed.…”

Dietary patterns associated with hypertension among stroke-free indigenous Africans: insights from the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network study

“…Despite these differences in the definition of processed foods, there is worthwhile evidence for the deleterious link between higher processed food consumption and hypertension incidence. Also, a recent review has summarized evidence of the risk of higher consumption of processed foods in hypertension occurrence [42]. The poor nutrient quality and harmful constituents (contaminants, additives, and emulsifiers, among others in food packaging) [43] of processed foods have been reported to alter the gut microbiome and contribute to hypertension occurrence [44].…”

Evidence That Increasing Serum 25(OH)D Concentrations to 30 ng/mL in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates Could Greatly Improve Health Outcomes

“…Fresh fruits and vegetables lower the risk of hypertension while high sodium intakes raise risk [ 66 ]. Ultra-processed foods, which have a high energy density and are rich in salt, sugar and fat, are also an important risk factor for hypertension based on a review of eight observational studies with ultra-processed foods comprising 8% to 56% of the energy content of individual diets [ 67 ].…”