Ultra-Processed Foods and the Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Continuum: Integrating Epidemiological, Multi-Omics,...

Area of Science:

• Dietary science
• Metabolic health
• Cardiovascular epidemiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a continuum of interconnected health issues.
• Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are a prevalent dietary exposure potentially impacting CKM risk.
• Existing research requires improved methods for assessing UPF exposure and its effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review epidemiologic, mechanistic, and translational evidence linking UPFs to CKM syndrome.
• To identify challenges in UPF exposure assessment and propose solutions.
• To outline a research agenda for CKM syndrome prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of observational, mechanistic (multi-omics), and translational studies.
• Analysis of dietary assessment tools and UPF operationalization (e.g., NOVA classification).
• Evaluation of data quality, analytic rigor, and potential biases in diet-omics research.

Main Results:

• Consistent associations between higher UPF intake and increased risk of adiposity, diabetes, CKD, cardiovascular events, and mortality.
• Mechanistic evidence implicates inflammation, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and gut microbiome alterations.
• Multi-omics data partially explain UPF-associated health outcomes.

Conclusions:

• UPFs pose a significant risk factor across the CKM syndrome continuum.
• Harmonized exposure metrics, error-aware modeling, and standardized multi-omics are crucial for future research.
• Stage-specific interventions and validated biomarkers are needed for CKM risk stratification and management.