HIGHER consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in early childhood may significantly increase the risk of developing asthma, adding to growing concerns about the long-term health impact of highly processed diets, according to a prospective analysis from the SENDO Project.
In the study, researchers followed 691 Spanish children aged 4–5 years for a mean of 3.4 years to investigate associations between UPF intake and the onset of asthma and other allergic diseases.
Children With Higher UPF Intake Showed Greater Asthma Incidence
The investigators analysed data collected between 2015 and 2024 from the SENDO cohort, a prospective paediatric study. Children were categorised into tertiles according to UPF consumption, assessed at baseline and again after 3 years. Participants with pre-existing asthma or allergic disease were excluded to focus on incident cases arising during follow-up.
After adjustment for multiple confounders, children in the higher UPF intake groups (T2 and T3) had a markedly increased risk of developing asthma compared with those in the lowest consumption group (T1). The adjusted incidence of asthma across the tertiles was 2.6%, 9.9%, and 7.6%, respectively, with a significant trend across categories (p=0.03).
No Significant Link Found with Other Allergic Conditions
In survival analyses, higher UPF consumption was associated with nearly a fourfold increased asthma risk (HR 3.76; 95% CI 1.15–11.51; p=0.02). However, no significant associations were observed between UPF intake and allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, or other allergic outcomes.
The authors noted that while genetic susceptibility remains central to asthma development, environmental and lifestyle factors such as diet are increasingly recognised as potentially modifiable contributors. Previous evidence linking UPFs with allergic disease has largely been derived from cross-sectional studies, making the prospective design of the SENDO analysis particularly notable.
Although the study does not establish causality, the findings support concerns that diets rich in industrially processed foods may adversely affect immune and respiratory health during childhood. Proposed mechanisms include increased systemic inflammation, altered gut microbiota composition, oxidative stress, and exposure to food additives commonly present in UPFs.
The researchers conclude that reducing UPF consumption in childhood could represent a potential strategy for asthma prevention and call for further longitudinal and mechanistic studies to confirm the association.
Reference
Galindo O et al. Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Childhood Allergic Diseases: Increased Risk of Asthma Onset in the SENDO Project. Allergy. 2026; DOI: 10.1111/all.70378.
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