Ultraprocessed Foods May Increase Risk of Psoriasis: Study

Soda and frozen pizza are among the foods that may trigger inflammatory responses in the body, potentially causing skin irritation, redness and other chronic symptoms.

Researchers have discovered that consuming ultraprocessed foods, including soda, frozen pizza, packaged meats, candy, ice cream and other common items, may contribute to the development of certain medical conditions, including psoriasis.

Ultraprocessed foods are products extensively altered through additional processing and enriched with additives like dyes, preservatives, emulsifiers and other artificial or refined ingredients that provide little to no nutritional value.

These foods typically contain five or more industrially produced components, such as flavor enhancers, sweeteners or hydrogenated oils, and account for approximately 58% of the average American diet.

In a study published in JAMA Dermatology last month, a team of French researchers indicate that ultraprocessed foods may worsen certain chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis. These foods have also been previously linked to various serious health issues, including cancer, heart attacks and type 2 diabetes.

The research team, led by Dr. Emilie Sbidian of Hôpital Henri Mondor in Créteil, France, looked at data from 18,528 participants in the NutriNet-Santé cohort study, which is an ongoing study that has been used as the basis for other research into artificial sweeteners and food additive emulsifiers as well.

The cohort data covered a period from November 2021 to June 2022, and indicated that those in the top third of ultraprocessed food consumption were the most likely to suffer from active psoriasis when compared to other study participants. All data was self-reported and adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol intake and other comorbidities.

In addition, those with active psoriasis were more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory rheumatism than those who had never had psoriasis.

However, the researchers could not prove statistically significant associations between ultraprocessed foods and active psoriasis in cases confirmed by a dermatologist. Those with inactive psoriasis also did not appear to eat more or less ultraprocessed foods than those who had never had psoriasis.

As a result, the researchers pointed out that more research into the findings is needed, as the study could have been limited by the use of self-reporting.

Ultraprocessed Foods and Other Health Conditions

Psoriasis is not the only adverse health condition that ultraprocessed foods have been linked to in recent years. Research published in February showed a link between certain cancers and some emulsifiers found in ultraprocessed foods.

Another study published that same month showed a link between ultraprocessed foods and potentially fatal heart problems, including heart attacks and heart failure.

A recent study published in March by a team of international researchers highlights a strong link between consuming ultraprocessed foods and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, along with other long-term side effects like sleep disturbances, breathing issues and depression.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, was once referred to as adult-onset diabetes and is closely associated with obesity. However, new research continues to suggest that the link between type 2 diabetes and obesity could also be related to diets high in ultraprocessed foods.