A study published in the journal "Allergy" showed that children who get more than 30% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods are almost four times more likely to develop asthma.
Researchers monitored approximately 700 children in Spain for about 3.4 years. Parents provided detailed information about their children's diets, and the researchers analyzed the proportion of ultra-processed foods—such as sugary cereals, soft drinks, packaged snacks, fast food, and other processed foods—that the children consumed.
The results showed a clear link between processed foods and a higher risk of childhood asthma. The more of these foods in the diet, the higher the risk of developing asthma at an early age. Children who consumed larger amounts of ultra-processed foods were almost four times more likely to develop asthma than children who consumed less of them. However, scientists did not find a link between these foods and other respiratory allergies.
Researchers point out that ultra-processed foods may stimulate inflammatory processes that directly affect the airways and lungs, so limiting these foods in children's diets may be an effective measure to prevent asthma.
