Ultra-Processed Food Linked to Harm in Every Major Human Organ

A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become a dominant part of modern diets. From

 breakfast cereals and protein bars to fizzy drinks and fast-food meals, these

 industrially formulated products are replacing traditional meals across the globe.

 But a groundbreaking series of scientific papers published in The Lancet has

 issued a stark warning: ultra-processed food is linked to harm in every major

 human organ system, representing a seismic and urgent threat to global health.

According to the world’s largest scientific review on the subject, consumption of

 UPFs is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, cancer,

 and even early death. The findings highlight the urgent need for structural,

 political, and economic reforms to counter the growing dominance of UPFs in

 global food systems.

What Exactly Are Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)?

UPFs fall under Group 4 of the NOVA classification, a system created by Professor

 Carlos Monteiro and his colleagues at the University of São Paulo.

While minimally processed foods include fruits, vegetables, grains, and fresh meats,

 ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations rich in additives such as:

Artificial flavors

Emulsifiers

Colorants

Preservatives

Sweeteners

Modified starches

These products are designed for long shelf life, intense flavor, convenience, and

 maximum profitability, but often come with low nutritional value, high calories,

 and chemical additives that are rarely seen in home cooking.

Common examples include:

Soft drinks

Packaged snacks

Breakfast cereals

Ready meals

Instant noodles

Processed meats

Protein bars

A Global Shift Toward UPF-Dominant Diets

One of the most alarming trends revealed in the review is the rapid displacement of

 fresh foods by UPFs.

Key global statistics:

In the United Kingdom and United States, over 50% of the average diet is made up

 of UPFs.

Among younger, poorer, and marginalized communities, UPFs may account for up

 to 80% of total calorie intake.

In contrast, countries like Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, and much of Asia have

 kept UPF consumption below 25%.

The shift is being driven by aggressive corporate marketing, strategic product

 placement, and affordability, making UPFs the default choice for millions.

The Lancet Review: The Largest Scientific

 Analysis Ever Conducted

A team of 43 scientists and global experts conducted a series of analyses and

 systematic reviews, summarizing data from 104 long-term studies.

Findings:

92 out of 104 studies reported higher risks of chronic diseases or early death linked

 to UPFs.

UPFs were connected to:

Obesity

Type 2 diabetes

Heart disease

Cancer

Depression

Stroke

Gastrointestinal disorders

Cognitive decline

Liver disease

Kidney problems

The studies show consistent associations across countries, ages, and

 socioeconomic groups, prompting experts to describe the threat as "global,

 pervasive, and escalating."

Professor Carlos Monteiro explains:

“Ultra-processed foods harm every major organ system in the human body.

 Humans are not biologically adapted to consume them.”

How UPFs Harm the Body: Organ by Organ

1. The Brain

UPFs have been linked to:

Depression

Anxiety

Cognitive decline

Mood instability

Artificial additives, poor nutrient density, and excess sugar can disrupt

 neurotransmitter balance and impair mental health.

2. The Heart

UPFs increase:

Hypertension

Cholesterol imbalance

Inflammation

Risk of cardiovascular disease

High salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats combine to create long-term heart damage.

3. The Gut

UPFs contain ingredients not found in home-cooked meals, such as emulsifiers and

 stabilizers. These additives may:

Damage the gut lining

Reduce microbiome diversity

Increase inflammation

Trigger digestive disorders

4. The Liver

With high sugar content — especially from high-fructose corn syrup — UPFs

 contribute to:

Fatty liver disease

Insulin resistance

Metabolic syndrome

5. The Kidneys

Salt-heavy UPFs raise risks of:

Kidney disease

Kidney stones

Fluid imbalance

6. The Immune System

Chronic exposure to UPF additives and low-nutrient density foods weakens

 immune response, making the body more prone to illness.

7. The Endocrine System

Artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and packaging chemicals interfere with

 hormones, increasing risks of:

Obesity

Diabetes

Thyroid disorders

Corporate Power: The Driver Behind the UPF

 Explosion

The Lancet authors argue that the rise of UPFs is not a failure of individual

 responsibility, but a result of massive corporate influence over global food

 systems.

Corporate tactics include:

Aggressive advertising (especially to children)

Funding biased scientific studies

Lobbying against regulation

Influencing government food policies

Creating addictive, hyper-palatable foods

Flooding supermarkets with cheap UPFs

These strategies mirror the tactics once used by the tobacco industry.

One quote from the review states:

“The main barrier to protecting health is industry’s corporate political activities,

 coordinated transnationally to block regulation.”

Why Traditional Policies Have Failed

Most government efforts focus on:

Sugar reduction

Salt reduction

Calorie labeling

Voluntary industry partnerships

But experts argue these approaches do not address the root of the problem — the

 ultra-processing itself.

As Prof. Chris Van Tulleken explains:

“Reformulation is not the solution. The entire diet is being ultra-processed, and its

 purpose is profit, not health.”

Even after decades of “healthier” reformulations — low-fat, low-sugar, keto-

friendly, high-protein, gluten-free — global obesity and chronic disease rates

 continue to rise.

Policy Solutions Proposed by Experts

The Lancet series calls for strong, structural interventions, including:

1. Front-of-package warning labels

Including markers of ultra-processing, not just sugar or fat content.

2. Banning UPFs in schools and hospitals

Brazil is already implementing this change.

3. Regulating marketing to children

Especially for sugary cereals, snacks, and drinks.

4. Limiting shelf space for UPFs

To prioritize fresh and minimally processed foods.

5. Taxing or restricting harmful additives

Such as artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers.

6. Supporting traditional and local food systems

Through subsidies, education, and cultural preservation.

Scientific Debate: Associations vs. Causation

While the evidence is overwhelmingly consistent, some scientists urge caution.

Concerns include:

Lack of long-term randomized trials

Variability within the UPF category

Differing impacts based on lifestyle

Professor Jules Griffin emphasizes:

“Association may not mean causation, and more high-quality research is needed.”

Still, experts argue that the strength of current evidence is more than enough to

 justify immediate public health action.

Is the Rise of UPFs Inevitable? Experts Say No

Despite corporate power, experts remain optimistic.

UPF consumption is still relatively low in many Mediterranean and Asian countries,

 showing that cultural food traditions can maintain dietary strength.

The experts argue that policy change, not consumer willpower, is the solution.

As the review states:

“The continuing rise of UPFs is not inevitable.”

A Global Turning Point for Food and Health

Ultra-processed foods have reshaped global diets in just a few decades — and

 scientists now warn that they may be reshaping human health at every level as

 well. The evidence linking UPFs to harm across major organs is strong, consistent,

 and alarming.

While more research is needed, the time for action is now. Governments, health

 organizations, and communities must work together to rebuild food systems that

 prioritize whole, minimally processed foods.

The message from global experts is clear:

Ultra-processed foods are not just unhealthy — they are a growing global threat.