Related Experiment Videos
Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Micronutrient Status Throughout the Life Course: A Systematic Review
Rayanne Oliveira Lopes1, Rayane Felipe de França1, Maria Elionês de Oliveira Araújo2
1Post-Graduate Program in Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
Context:
Micronutrient deficiencies remain a significant global malnutrition issue, affecting morbidity and mortality, particularly among children and women of reproductive age. Similarly, the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is prevalent in the diets of various populations and is associated with poor diet quality and the development of certain diseases. Determining whether dietary patterns involving UPFs contribute to this health burden is crucial for understanding how to promote prevention and achieve complete nutritional recovery.
Objective:
To identify the influence of UPFs on micronutrients status at different stages of life.
Data Sources:
Studies with information on biomarkers of vitamins, minerals, and/or trace elements and UPFs consumption were searched in the PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS/SciELO, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on August 24, 2024, and repeated in July 2025.
Data Extraction:
Three researchers participated in the screening and data extraction, 2 other verified the accuracy of data extraction from eligible studies. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the JBI critical appraisal checklist.
Conclusion:
The search strategy resulted in 377 studies and only 4 cross-sectional studies were eligible, conducted in children, pregnant women, and lactating women with different vitamins and minerals. Among the findings, greater inclusion of UPFs in the diet was associated with lower levels of carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin E, molybdenum, and selenium, and higher concentrations of γ-tocopherol, potassium, and sodium-common micronutrients in UPFs. In children, findings on the association between UPFs consumption and anemia have been conflicting. Despite the scarcity and limitation of study designs, further research is essential to investigate and comprehend the relationship of UPFs on micronutrient deficiency due to the increasing prevalence of UPFs in diets and its significant health implications.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO registration No. CRD42023488818.
