Ultra-Processed Food and Its Impact on Bone Health and Joint Diseases: A Scoping Review

Ciaffi J, Mancarella L, Ripamonti C, D'Amuri A, Brusi V, Pignatti F, Lisi L, Ursini F · Nutrients

Maps what exists across bone density, fracture, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, and finds a literature that is young, almost entirely observational, and consistent in direction. Osteoarthritis is covered by three studies: one UK Biobank cohort of 163,987 with a 10% higher knee OA risk in the top quartile and nothing at the hip, and two conference posters from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Population

19 studies of ultra-processed food against bone and joint outcomes — 12 on bone, 3 on osteoarthritis, 4 on inflammatory arthritis — four of them conference abstracts

Intervention

Ultra-processed food intake by NOVA classification

Comparator

Varies

Limitations

A scoping review maps rather than appraises; no pooled estimate and no bias assessment. No external funding; no conflicts.