Consumption of ultra-processed foods deteriorates bone health.
Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods may be associated with a decline in bone health. This conclusion was reached by scientists from Tulane University, who analyzed data from a large long-term study. The results were published in The British Journal of Nutrition (BJN).
Researchers examined health and nutrition information from over 160,000 individuals in the UK Biobank database. The observation lasted more than 12 years. It was found that people who more frequently consumed ultra-processed foods—such as ready-made frozen meals, sweet yogurts, cereals, cookies, chips, and soft drinks—had lower bone mineral density and a higher risk of hip fractures.
According to the scientists' calculations, every additional 3.7 servings of such foods per day increased the risk of hip fractures by approximately 10.5 percent. Participants in the study consumed an average of about eight servings of ultra-processed food daily.
The authors suggest that the problem may be related to the composition of such foods: they often contain high levels of salt, sugar, and fats, but little whole food and nutrients necessary for bone health. The association was particularly noticeable among individuals under 65 years old and those with low body weight, for whom nutrient deficiencies may have a greater impact on bone tissue health.
