Ultra‐processed food is associated with features of metabolic syndrome and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background & aims High consumption of ultra‐processed food (UPF) is associated with mortality and chronic morbidity but has not been studied concerning to non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to test the association of UPF consumption with metabolic syndrome, NAFLD and related‐liver damage. Methods A cross‐sectional study among volunteers who underwent abdominal ultrasound (AUS), anthropometrics, blood pressure measurements, and fasting blood tests including FibroMax for non‐invasive assessment of NASH and significant fibrosis. A food‐frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate UPF consumption using the NOVA classification. Results A total of 789 subjects were included in the total sample (mean age 58.83 ± 6.58 years, 52.60% men), a reliable FibroMax test was obtained from 714 subjects, 305 subjects were diagnosed with NAFLD. High consumption of UPF was associated with higher odds for metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.31‐2.71, P = .001) and its components; hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL, among the entire sample (OR = 1.53, 1.07‐2.19, P = .026; OR = 1.51, 1.08‐2.11, P = .017; OR = 1.55, 1.05‐2.29, P = .028). In addition, it was associated with higher odds for NASH and hypertension (OR = 1.89, 1.07‐3.38, P = .030; OR = 2.26, 1.20‐4.26, P = .012 respectively) among subjects with NAFLD. Stratification by smoking status revealed an association between high UPF consumption and significant fibrosis among ever smokers in the entire sample and among subjects with NAFLD (OR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.03‐3.45, P = .039; OR = 2.85, 1.14‐7.14, P = .026 respectively). Conclusions High UPF consumption is associated with metabolic syndrome in the general population, and among those with NAFLD it is associated with NASH marker. Ever‐smoking may act synergistically with UPF to amplify the risk for fibrosis.

Gut Microbiota Differences According to Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in a Spanish Population

“…Moreover, this study showed that, in two weeks, participants exposed to the high UPF diet gained 0.9 kg compared to participants exposed to the non-UPF diet, who lost 0.9 kg. The poor nutritional quality of UPFs, the hyper-palatable taste and the use of artificialized matrices with the subsequent effect on satiety feeling have been associated with an increased risk of obesity, which has been attributed to their high content in total fats, saturated fats, and free sugars, [54], and also the use of additives, some of them linked to the deleterious effects of UPFs [55,56]. In this regard, investigations can be found studying additive exposure and long-term potential effects in humans [56].…”

Evaluating type and amount of dietary protein in relation to metabolic syndrome among Iranian adults: cross-sectional analysis of Fasa Persian cohort study

“…Fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables, fresh meat, fresh milk, eggs, nuts, and whole-grain are some examples of MPFs; and UPFs can be addressed as industrial formulas with multiple ingredients, including sweetened beverages, refined cereal and bread, processed cheese and processed meats products, pizza, and confectionary [ 55 ]. Previous studies have shown that dietary patterns rich in UPFs are associated with increased risk of several cardiometabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity [ 56 ], while the strong inverse relationship of MPFs intake and obesity has been observed [ 57 ]. UPFs are characterized by low nutritional quality, high energy density, which included a high amount of simple carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sodium; while they contain a lower amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and proteins in comparison with MPFs [ 56 ].…”

“…Previous studies have shown that dietary patterns rich in UPFs are associated with increased risk of several cardiometabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity [ 56 ], while the strong inverse relationship of MPFs intake and obesity has been observed [ 57 ]. UPFs are characterized by low nutritional quality, high energy density, which included a high amount of simple carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sodium; while they contain a lower amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and proteins in comparison with MPFs [ 56 ]. Salome et al reported that higher energy intake from MPFs was related to higher animal protein intake, better plant protein diversity, increased diet quality, and remarkably decreased risk of cardiometabolic diseases.…”

From Oncological Paradigms to Non-Communicable Disease Pandemic. The Need of Recovery Human Biology Evolution

“…In particular, for individual diseases, risk factors have been identified that show extensive overlap with each other. Particular attention has been given to diet, for which conditions of high risk have been identified in the use of foods with high protein and lipid content, especially industrial ultra-processed food [43]. An examination of this topic is beyond the scope of this commentary.…”