A study conducted by Italian researchers has shown that ultra-processed food or UPF can nearly two times raise the risk of cardiovascular disease-related mortality in those with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention at the IRCCS NEUROMED in Pozzilli, the Mediterranea Cardiocentro in Naples, and the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Insubria's Research Centre in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (EPIMED) conducted the study, which was published on July 26 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

UPF is defined as foods primarily of industrial origin, made primarily or entirely from ingredients derived from foods and additives using a variety of processes and containing little to no whole foods, according to the widely used Nova Food Classification System. Soda, packaged cookies, chips, flavoured almonds, flavoured yoghurt, distilled alcoholic beverages, and fast food are a few examples of ultra-processed foods.

Researchers found that participants reporting a higher consumption of UPF — that is, those who said such foods accounted for nearly 12 percent of their total diet — had a 60% increased risk of dying from any cause, not just cardiovascular, compared to people consuming less of these products. This study followed 1,065 diabetic patients for nearly 12 years from 2005 to 2017. It was noted that 7.4% of the study group's total diet was made up on average of UPF.

Researchers found that those with Type 2 diabetes who consumed more UPF had a greater risk of mortality from cardiovascular illnesses, one of the primary causes of death for those with diabetes. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasises plant-based foods and healthy fats, did not significantly reduce this risk, the researchers found. This is significant research as it is the first study that assess every risk of UPF consumption in diabetes.

The New Delhi-based nutrition think tank Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) has urged India's dietary recommendations to address consumption of highly processed foods, in the wake of the research. According to ICMR, 101 million people in India suffer from diabetes and 136 million from pre-diabetes. FSSAI officials have stated that a policy that will require mandatory warning labels in the front of the pack, restrictions on marketing and introducing higher taxes on such products is under work.