In a recent study, researchers have reported an increasing likelihood of cardiovascular issues linked to the intake of foods with lower ratings on the Nutri-Score scale (new version for 2024) within the European cohort known as EPIC.
In Western Europe, cardiovascular diseases are the top cause of death, responsible for about a third of fatalities in 2019. It’s believed that diet contributes to around 30% of these deaths, making nutrition-focused preventive policies a crucial public health priority.
Scheduled for publication on September 11, 2024, in Lancet Regional Health — Europe, a team from the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (CRESS-EREN), consisting of members from Inserm, Inrae, Cnam, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, and Université Paris Cité, collaborated with experts from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO-IARC). They found that consuming foods with less favorable ratings on the Nutri-Score scale is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases among participants from the EPIC cohort, which included 345,533 individuals across seven European nations monitored over a 12-year span.
Nutri-Score was officially introduced in France in 2017 and has since been adopted by six other European countries. This labeling system aims to provide consumers with quick insights into the nutritional value of foods and beverages, enabling them to make better choices. The initiative also encourages manufacturers to enhance the nutritional quality of their offerings.
The Nutri-Score is categorized into five levels, ranging from A (dark green, indicating high nutritional quality) to E (dark orange, indicating low nutritional quality). An algorithm evaluates each product based on its content per 100 grams of energy, sugars, saturated fats, salt (which should be limited), and proteins, fruits, vegetables, and legumes (which should be encouraged).
Numerous studies published in recognized scientific journals have confirmed that Nutri-Score effectively characterizes the nutritional quality of foods and aids consumers in making healthier choices, with over 140 relevant publications. Notably, research in France has linked the consumption of lower-rated Nutri-Score foods to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (observed in studies like SU.VI.MAX and NutriNet-Santé), with additional studies in the UK, Spain, and Italy identifying similar connections to other chronic diseases and increased mortality rates.
In this significant research effort, the focus was on the updated Nutri-Score algorithm (as of 2024) and its relationship with cardiovascular disease risk across a large population in seven European nations. This study builds on earlier research published in 2018 and 2020 that examined cancer risk and mortality within the same cohort.
From the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) cohort, 345,533 participants were analyzed. Throughout the follow-up period (from 1992 to 2010), 16,214 individuals developed cardiovascular issues, including 6,565 cases of myocardial infarction and 6,245 strokes. The researchers discovered that participants who regularly consumed foods with lower Nutri-Score ratings, reflecting poorer nutritional quality, were at a heightened risk for cardiovascular diseases, especially myocardial infarctions and strokes. These findings remained significant even after adjusting for various sociodemographic and lifestyle variables.
“These results reinforce the importance of Nutri-Score as a public health strategy to assist consumers in their dietary choices aimed at preventing chronic diseases,” states Inserm researcher Mélanie Deschasaux-Tanguy.
“They also provide essential information to advocate for Nutri-Score as a mandatory nutritional label across Europe,” adds Mathilde Touvier, Inserm research director.
An updated Nutri-Score for 2024
New adjustments to the Nutri-Score calculation have recently been proposed by the international scientific committee overseeing it to better align it with nutritional guidelines. This revised version of Nutri-Score is anticipated to be implemented in 2024, rolling out gradually in the following months. However, European labeling laws do not obligate manufacturers to display Nutri-Score on their products.
Despite over 1,400 companies and brands in France already committing to using Nutri-Score on their products, a unified approach is necessary at the European level to mandate a single label that is practical and beneficial for consumers. This standardization is part of the European Commission’s Farm to Fork strategy.
