Ultra-processed food consumption deteriorates the profile of micronutrients consumed by Portuguese adults and elderly: the UPPER project
European journal of nutrition(2022)
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to describe micronutrient intake according to food processing degree and to investigate the association between the dietary share of ultra-processed foods and micronutrient inadequacies in a representative sample of Portuguese adult and elderly individuals. Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (2015/2016) were used. Food consumption data were collected through two 24-h food recalls, and food items were classified according to the NOVA system. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between the micronutrient density and the quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption—crude and adjusted. Negative Binomial regressions were performed to measure the prevalence ratio of micronutrient inadequacy according to ultra-processed food quintiles. Results For adults, all evaluated vitamins had significantly lower content in the fraction of ultra-processed foods compared to unprocessed or minimally processed foods, except vitamin B2. For the elderly, out of ten evaluated vitamins, seven presented significantly less content in ultra-processed foods compared to non-processed ones. The higher energy contribution of ultra-processed foods in adults was associated with a lower density of vitamins and minerals. This association was not observed in the elderly. For adults, compared with the first quintile of ultra-processed food consumption, the fifth quintile was positively associated with inadequate intakes of vitamin B6 (PR 1.51), vitamin C (PR 1.32), folate (PR 1.14), magnesium (PR 1.21), zinc (PR 1.33), and potassium (PR 1.19). Conclusion Our results corroborate the importance of public health actions that promote a reduction in the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
MoreTranslated text
Key words
Food processing,Ultra-processed foods,Diet quality,Micronutrients,Portugal
AI Read Science
Must-Reading Tree
Example
Generate MRT to find the research sequence of this paper
Chat Paper
Summary is being generated by the instructions you defined