These are the foods that kill 57,000 people a year in Brazil

In Brazil, about 57,000 premature deaths annually are attributed to the consumption of ultra-processed foods, according to a study by Nucleus for Epidemiological Research in Nupens/USP.

Premature deaths are those that occur between the ages of 30 and 69. The survey was based on national food consumption for the period 2017-2018 and demographic and mortality data for 2019.

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The study states that ultra-processed foods kill 57,000 people annually in Brazil

The researchers concluded that ultra-processed foods accounted for 13% to 21% of the total daily calories for Brazilian adults in the age group studied.

Consuming this type of food is associated with an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, various types of cancer, depression, and cognitive impairment, among other diseases.

In 2019, 541,160 people between the ages of 30 and 69 died. Calculations by the researchers indicate that approximately 57,000 of these deaths were related to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. This represents 10.5% of all premature deaths in adults in that age group.

What are overly processed foods?

The term refers to the classification of foods according to the amount of industrial processing they have undergone. Ultra-processed foods contain five or more ingredients in their composition, including preservatives, sweeteners, or color enhancers.

In addition to being high in poor-quality fats, it is low in vitamins and fibre, and it is also economically profitable for the industry.

In this category are processed meats such as hot dogs and hamburgers. breakfast cereals or cereal bars; instant soups; sugary drinks; piece of Chicken; cake; chocolate; ice cream Bread is produced on a large scale; Mixes and ready meals such as pies and pizza.

In general, they contain large amounts of unnatural flavorings, preservatives, and sweeteners, which give them a very delicious taste, but also make them high in calories, fat, sugar, or salt, which increases the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases.