Ultra‑processed food consumption and risk of diabetes: results from a population‑based prospective cohort – published online 13/07/2024

Shutong Du, Valerie K. Sullivan, Michael Fang, Lawrence J. Appel, Elizabeth Selvin, Casey M. Rebholz

Understanding the impact of ultra-processed food consumption on diabetes risk is important for informing dietary guidelines and interventions. In this issue, Du et al (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-024-06221-5) investigate the association between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of diabetes in a diverse cohort of middle-aged adults in the USA. Their findings reveal that a higher intake of ultra-processed food, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages, ultra-processed meats and sugary snacks, is significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes. Conversely, higher consumption of minimally processed and unprocessed food is associated with a lower diabetes risk. The authors highlight the need for targeted dietary interventions aimed at reducing ultra-processed food consumption. They conclude that these findings provide compelling evidence for revising dietary guidelines to address the health impact of ultra-processed food, to reduce the burden of diabetes.