Ultra-Processed Foods May Raise Risk of Preterm Birth and Pregnancy Complications, Study Finds

Ultra-processed foods, now a dominant part of the American diet, may raise the risk of serious pregnancy complications, including preterm birth and blood pressure problems, according to a large U.S. study.

Researchers found each 10 percentage-point increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) calorie intake during pregnancy was linked to a roughly 11% higher risk of preterm birth (before 37 weeks) and 5% higher risk of high blood pressure disorders, such as preeclampsia, the leading causes of illness and death for mothers and newborns in the United States.

The analysis of more than 6,600 pregnancies, published last month [February] in Nutrients, adds to mounting evidence that these products harm maternal and fetal health. In a separate study, increasing ultra-processed food intake from the second to third trimester was linked to a higher risk of preeclampsia among 1,221 high-risk pregnant women.