A new prospective analysis from the SENDO Project suggests that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods in early childhood may significantly increase the risk of developing asthma.
Researchers followed 691 Spanish children aged 4 to 5 for an average of 3.4 years. They found that children in the highest UPF intake groups had a markedly increased risk of developing asthma compared to those with the lowest consumption. The adjusted incidence of asthma was 2.6% in the lowest group, and 9.9% and 7.6% in the higher groups.
In survival analyses, higher UPF consumption was associated with nearly a fourfold increased asthma risk. However, no significant link was found between UPFs and other allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, or food allergy.
The authors emphasize that while genetics play a central role, diet is a potentially modifiable factor. Proposed mechanisms include increased systemic inflammation, altered gut microbiota, oxidative stress, and exposure to food additives. Reducing UPFs in childhood could be a strategy for asthma prevention.