Higher ultra-processed food intake was linked to greater respiratory disease risk
A review of adult cohort studies found an association with chronic respiratory disease, while the lung cancer result remained uncertain and the exposure scale was unclear.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across the included adult cohorts, higher ultra-processed food intake was associated with greater chronic respiratory disease risk. The lung cancer result was not statistically clear. These observational comparisons cannot establish that the foods caused disease or that reducing intake would prevent it. The authors also reported substantial differences between studies, which complicate interpretation.
The abstract leaves the intake-increase scale undefined and uses hazard ratios in methods but relative risks in results. Without full-text access, the association's magnitude cannot be interpreted confidently; follow-up lengths are also unspecified.
What the review examined
The review asked how ultra-processed food intake related to respiratory disease risk across cohort studies. It combined adjusted estimates from those studies; participants were not described as being assigned to change their food intake.
Lung cancer remained uncertain
The authors rated the overall respiratory evidence as moderate and the lung cancer evidence as very low. A statistically unclear lung cancer result leaves uncertainty about that outcome; it does not establish an absence of association.
The original publication
Ultra-processed food consumption is linked to an increased risk of chronic respiratory diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Mekonnen TC, Shi Z, Gebremichael B et al.
Clin Nutr ESPEN · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40516857
- Record checked
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