A recent meta-analysis conducted by the University of Washington has raised concerns about the safety of consuming processed foods, suggesting that even small amounts can increase the risk of chronic diseases. The study, led by Demewoz Haile from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, reviewed 77 studies to assess the relationship between processed food intake and diseases like type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and colorectal cancer.

The research highlights that habitual consumption of processed meats, sugary drinks, and trans fatty acids is associated with a higher likelihood of developing these conditions. Specifically, eating as little as 0.6 to 57 grams of processed meat daily could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 11%, while consuming 0.78 to 55 grams per day might raise colorectal cancer risk by 7%. A single hot dog, typically weighing around 50 grams, falls within this range.

Additionally, the study examined sugar-sweetened beverages, finding that drinking between 1.5 and 390 grams daily could elevate type 2 diabetes risk by 8%. Similarly, consuming up to 365 grams of these drinks could increase ischemic heart disease risk by 2%. Trans fatty acids were also scrutinized; when they constituted between 0.25% and 2.56% of daily energy intake, they were linked to a 3% greater risk of ischemic heart disease.

Published in Nature Medicine on June 30, the study acknowledges previous research linking processed foods to chronic diseases but emphasizes its advanced analytical methods and objective evidence assessment. Despite recognizing dietary choices as personal, researchers recommend minimizing or eliminating processed food consumption to reduce health risks.

However, limitations exist due to reliance on food frequency questionnaires for dietary assessment, which may introduce errors. The study’s scope was also limited to specific health outcomes for each dietary factor. Dr. Nick Norwitz from Harvard noted that while associations between processed meat intake and health risks are consistent, they do not necessarily imply causation. The American Association of Meat Processors highlighted the need for further research to clarify these findings.