Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption and Asthma in the Western Diet

Abstract

Obesity is considered an important risk factor for the onset of asthma, playing a key role in enhancing the disease’s severity. However, there is increasing evidence linking not only obesity but also overweight with a higher risk of asthma. Although the correlation between obesity and asthma has already been reported, several aspects are still not fully elucidated, mainly about the inflammatory processes underlying both diseases. It is well known that Western-type calorically rich diets and overfeeding can act as triggers of chronic metabolic inflammation, but few studies have examined associations between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) intake, despite its positive correlation with obesity, and biomarkers of inflammation. In addition to their nutrient composition, UPF may have chemical additives and contaminants from packaging, whose effects on health and food addiction are still under research. In this review, we provide an overview of the current data that identify the associations between the obese asthma phenotype and UPF consumption, highlighting the potential central role played by the intestinal microbiota.

Keywords

• Western diet
• ultraprocessed foods
• food choice
• obesity
• gut microbiota
• inflammation