Ultra-processed foods and cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome: A review of recent evidence

Abstract

The rapid increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has become a significant global public health concern. UPFs are typically high in unhealthy fats, refined sugars, sodium, and other additives while being low in proteins, fibers, and other essential nutrients. Their high glycemic index and glycemic load lead to blood sugar spikes, contributing to metabolic dysregulation. Emerging evidence links UPF intake to the development of the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome and a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, such as all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The pathophysiological mechanisms likely involve chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, dysregulated lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, immune dysfunction, and gut microbiota disruption. The adverse effects are even more concerning in vulnerable populations, including individuals with chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and the elderly. This review article explores how UPF intake contributes to chronic diseases across the CKM spectrum, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, while also exacerbating frailty and reducing quality of life. The focus goes beyond risks of individual metabolic complications to address the broader health implications of UPFs on the increased prevalence of multiple coexistent non-communicable diseases, frailty, reduced quality of life, meta-inflammation, metabolic memory, and syndemics, which are particularly critical for the aging geriatric population. © 2025 European Federation of Internal Medicine