Ultra-processed foods and irritable bowel syndrome

In this large-scale prospective study, British researchers examined the long-term risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome in association with the consumption of ultra-processed foods. A total of 178,711 participants were included in the study and followed for a median of 11.3 years. Ultra-processed foods accounted for 21.0% of the total diet. Of the participants, 2,690 developed irritable bowel syndrome. For every 10% increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods in the total diet, the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome increased by 8%. Data were similar in subgroups according to age, gender, BMI, smoking status or alcohol consumption.