The NutriScore nutrition information system can help preventCardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) in the population, with a focus on the over-55s.
Such conclusions are reached in a cohort study conducted in Spain, where consumption of the foods with the worst NutriScore scores is associated with increases in several risk factors for CVDs. (1)
Conversely, the Mediterranean diet that the NutriScore system favors is the best guarantee for good cardiovascular health. And so, the quality of life. Public appeal.
1) Nutritional profiles, the evolution.
The nutrient profile system was developed in 2004-2005 by the University of Oxford, British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group at the request of the Food Standard Agency (UK) and confirmed in 2007-2009 by a panel of independent experts. Aiming to reduce the incidence of serious and chronic diseases-CVDs primarily-associated with the consumption of HFSS, High in Fats, Sugar and Sodium foods.
The Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index of FSA (FSAm-NPS) was adopted as follows:
- by the British super-agency Ofcom(Office of Communication) in 2007 to ban junk-food advertising,
- by the health administration, for additional education and prevention measures last established in the Health and Care Bill. (2)
The model-which was updated in 2016 to consider the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition on sugars and dietary fiber (3,4)-was then used in Ireland (for restrictions on advertising aimed at children), Australia and New Zealand (5,6). And it is the basis of the Nutri-Score algorithm, which itself has undergone very recent evolution. (7)
2) Cardiovascular disease and nutritional labeling.
The Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling (FOPNL) summary nutrition labeling on the front of the package.) – foolishly opposed, in Italy, by the stolid flocks following Ferrero and Coldiretti (8) – has the primary purpose of helping those who have neither time nor attention nor the ability to understand, at a glance, which products to put in their shopping carts to live better and longer.
In fact, cardiovascular diseases (CDVs) are still the leading cause of premature mortality and disability in Italy, Europe and the world. (9) These diseases are associated with the consumption of foods that are ultra-processed and/or high in fat (especially saturated), simple sugars and sodium. And NutriScore labeling can save many lives from these misfortunes, as research has already shown. (10)
3) Nutrition over-55 and cardiovascular disease.
The PREDIMED-Plus cohort study(PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea)-a randomized clinical trial conducted in Spain at 23 health care facilities-assessed the effects of nutrition on cardiovascular disease risk parameters (CVDs) in the over-55s.
3.1) The PREDIMED-Plus Study.
5,921 participants were selected from people who were overweight and obese(Body Mass Index, BMI, 27-40), aged 55-75 years, (in the range), with at least three indicators attributable to a metabolic syndrome:
- waist circumference > 102 cm (men), > 88 cm (women),
- triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dl in serum (i.e., drug treatment for containment),
- HDL cholesterol (so-called ‘good cholesterol’) < 40 mg/dl (men), < 50 mg/dl (women). That is, drug treatment on LDL cholesterol,
- Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg or antihypertensive treatment,
- fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100 mg/dl or hypoglycemic treatment without documented history of CVD.
Average consumption (frequency and quantity) of 143 foods and beverages were identified through the Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs), administered at the beginning of the cohort study and after 1 year. Overall nutrient and energy intakes could thus be estimated by the expert nutritionists who followed the participants throughout the study.
3.2) The results of the research
Very low dietary nutritional quality-associated with prevalent consumption of ultra-processed and unbalanced foods-has been correlated with worsening health conditions and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the over-55s. After one year of observation, those who regularly consumed the products that #nutriscore places in the last categories (D,E) indeed showed:
- Lower levels of HDL cholesterol (‘good cholesterol’),
- Significant increase in plasma glucose levels, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure,
- Increased waist circumference and body mass index (BMI).
4) Interim Conclusions
Even donkeys now realize that regular consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish, white meat, nuts-all the better if organic (11)-is the only real health insurance, with the help of regular exercise.
NutriScore can make a difference to the millions of people in Europe who still, in Europe, neglect health in their food choices. 59% of adults are overweight and obese, in an escalation that WHO Europe calls epidemic. (12)
Postscript
Only donkeys can reject a solution that can even partially reduce disease, disability, and premature death. For the mere compulsion to repeat the nursery rhymes and serve the interests of Ferrero, Nestlé and Coca-Cola, Big Food (13,14,15).
‘People over Profit’
or ‘Profit over People‘? Why then insist, for profits on junk food or conformity to the voice of the master?
Instead, why not abandon the Coldiretto confindustrial flock and think for yourself, about the common good, in concrete terms? (16) Thank you.
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Khoury et al. (2022). Associations Between the Modified Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in an Elderly Population. Front. Nutr. 9:897089, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.897089
(2) Dario Dongo.
England, stop junk food advertising thanks to Health and Care Bill.
. FT (Food Times). 2.5.22,
(3) Department of Health (2011).
Nutrient Profiling Technical Guidance
. UK Government.
(4) Public Health England (2016).
Review of the nutrient profiling model
.
(5) Department of Health, Australia (2014)
Health star rating system
.
(6) Food Standards Australia New Zealand (2016).
Overview of the nutrient profiling scoring criterion
.
(7) Dario Dongo.
NutriScore, evolution of the science-based algorithm.
. FT (Food Times). 1.8.22,
(8) Dario Dongo.
Nutri-Score and Yuka, antitrust enters the fray.
. FT (Food Times). 24.11.21,
(9) Dario Dongo. Covid-19, a secondary disease. The scientific studies. FT (Food Times). 16.5.20,
(10) Dario Dongo, Martina Novelli. Nutri-Score and health choices, scientific study. FT (Food Times). 7.3.20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/nutriscore-e-scelte-di-salute-studio-scientifico/
(11) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna.
Biological foods and the immune system, scientific evidence.
. FT (Food Times). 11.4.20,
(12) Sabrina Bergamini, Dario Dongo. Obesity, childhood obesity, and marketing. WHO Europe 2022 Report. FT (Food Times). 16.6.22,
(13) Marta Strinati. Nestlé to Ferrero. Almost all baby foods are harmful. FT (Food Times). 3.9.21,
(14) Dario Dongo. Coca-Cola, obesity and the right to water. Scientific study. FT (Food Times). 19.7.20,
(15) Marta Strinati, Dario Dongo.
Nutrition and health, here’s how Big Food stands in the way of WHO.
. FT (Food Times). 3.9.20,
(16) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. NutriScore, consumer health prevails over agribusiness lobby. Petition and insights. FT (Food Times). 18.5.22.
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
