Food processing and cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review

Rev Saude Publica. 2020:54:70. doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054001704. Epub 2020 Jul 24.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the evidence for the association between food consumption according to processing and cardiometabolic factors in adults and/or the elderly. METHOD Two independent evaluators analyzed the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science and Lilacs until December 2018. We used the following terms: (convenience foods OR food processing OR highly-processed OR industrialized foods OR minimally-processed OR prepared foods OR processed foods OR ultra-processed OR ultraprocessed OR ultra processed OR unprocessed) AND (metabolic syndrome OR hypertension OR blood pressure OR diabetes mellitus OR glucose OR glycaemia OR insulin OR cholesterol OR triglycerides OR blood lipids OR overweight OR obesity) AND (adult OR adults OR adulthood OR aged OR elderly OR old). We assessed methodological and evidence qualities, and also extracted information for the qualitative synthesis from the selected studies. RESULTS Of the 6,423 studies identified after removing duplicates, eleven met the eligibility criteria. The main food classification we used was Nova. The consumption of ultra-processed foods was positively associated with overweight and obesity, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. All articles included met more than 50% of the methodological quality criteria. The quality of evidence was considered moderate for the outcome overweight and obesity and weak for hypertension and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS The Nova food classification stands out in the area of nutritional epidemiology when assessing the effects of food processing on health outcomes. Although caution is required in the interpretation, the results indicated that the consumption of ultra-processed foods can have an unfavorable impact in the health of individuals.

OBJETIVO: Revisar sistematicamente as evidências da associação entre consumo de alimentos de acordo com o processamento e fatores cardiometabólicos em adultos e idosos.

MÉTODOS: Dois avaliadores independentes analisaram as bases de dados eletrônicas PubMed, Web of Science e Lilacs até dezembro de 2018. Os seguintes termos foram utilizados: (convenience foods OR food processing OR highly-processed OR industrialized foods OR minimally-processed OR prepared foods OR processed foods OR ultra-processed OR ultraprocessed OR ultra processed OR unprocessed) AND (metabolic syndrome OR hypertension OR blood pressure OR diabetes mellitus OR glucose OR glycaemia OR insulin OR cholesterol OR triglycerides OR blood lipids OR overweight OR obesity) AND (adult OR adults OR adulthood OR aged OR elderly OR old). Nos estudos incluídos foram avaliadas as qualidades metodológica e de evidência, além de extraídas informações para a síntese qualitativa.

RESULTADOS: Dos 6.423 estudos identificados após a remoção das duplicatas, onze preencheram os critérios de elegibilidade. A principal classificação de alimentos utilizada foi a Nova. O consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados foi positivamente associado com excesso de peso e obesidade, hipertensão arterial e síndrome metabólica. Todos os artigos incluídos preencheram mais de 50% dos critérios de qualidade metodológica. A qualidade de evidência foi considerada moderada para o desfecho excesso de peso e obesidade e fraca para hipertensão arterial e síndrome metabólica.

CONCLUSÕES: A classificação de alimentos Nova se destaca na área da epidemiologia nutricional ao avaliar os efeitos do processamento de alimentos sobre desfechos em saúde. Embora seja necessária prudência na interpretação, os resultados indicam que o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados pode ter impacto desfavorável sobre a saúde dos indivíduos.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Fast Foods / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors

Grants and funding

Funding