Canadian study estimates halving ultra-processed food intake could prevent up to 8,300 cardiovascular deaths but experts caution findings

The Independent reported that a study published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimated up to 8,300 cardiovascular disease deaths across Canada could be prevented if the population halved its consumption of ultra-processed foods. The research examined diets of Canadians over age 20 and found that ultra-processed foods made up 43 percent of total daily energy intake in 2015.

Researchers calculated that between 23 percent and 38 percent of all cardiovascular disease events in Canada in 2019 were attributable to ultra-processed food intake.

This range corresponded to an estimated 58,200 to 96,000 new cases and 10,600 to 17,400 related deaths that year. The study modeled several intake scenarios and determined that cutting ultra-processed food consumption in half could have prevented between 5,000 and 8,300 cardiovascular disease deaths and 27,300 to 45,900 new cases nationwide.

Study authors stated that the findings reinforce the need for clinical and public health interventions aimed at reducing ultra-processed food intake as a key component of cardiovascular disease prevention.

The authors also called for broader structural measures, including regulations on food taxes, front-of-package labelling, marketing restrictions and reformulation targets. They noted that public education and individual counselling have limited impact without such environmental and policy support.

Nutritionist Gunter Kuhnle from the University of Reading said observational studies can only provide information about an association, but not causality.