How Junk Food Increases the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you’re looking for more reasons to avoid junk food, here’s an important one—it may increase the risk of developing an autoimmune condition, like rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system, designed to protect you from bacteria and viruses, mistakenly targets your joints and tendons. This leads to inflammation, pain, swelling, and eventually permanent bone damage.

On the other hand, ultra-processed foods are known to cause metabolic issues and inflammation. So what’s the connection? Common sense suggests that the inflammation caused by these foods could be a problem if you’re concerned about autoimmune conditions.

A recent study from the United Kingdom Biobank explored this link. Researchers analyzed data from over 207,000 middle-aged adults who didn’t have rheumatoid arthritis and tracked their eating habits over several years. Participants reported their diet, focusing on ultra-processed foods like soft drinks, packaged snacks, reconstituted meat products, and frozen dishes.

The study found that about 1% of the participants developed rheumatoid arthritis, which aligns with the general population’s risk. However, those who consumed the most ultra-processed foods had a 17% higher risk of developing the condition.

Researchers believe this is due to ultra-processed foods increasing inflammation and worsening metabolic health, factors closely tied to the development of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Key Takeaways:

• Ultra-processed foods, which are already known to harm general health, may also raise the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
• For those with or at risk of rheumatoid arthritis, maintaining good metabolic health by avoiding junk food is crucial.
• If you need another reason to avoid unhealthy foods, this study suggests they may increase the risk of autoimmune conditions.

In conclusion, eating better isn’t just about general health—it could also help protect you from autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.