Top 10 Consumables Contributing to Human Mortality in 2025: A Scientific Overview
Abstract
In 2025, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes remain the leading causes of global mortality. A significant portion of these diseases is preventable and directly linked to poor dietary and lifestyle choices. This article identifies the top 10 consumables contributing to premature death and chronic illness, supported by recent scientific research and epidemiological data.
1. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs)
High consumption of sugary drinks is strongly associated with increased risks of obesity, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular complications. These beverages offer no nutritional benefits and contribute to metabolic dysfunction.
Key Study:
- Singh GM, Micha R, Khatibzadeh S, et al. “Global, regional, and national consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juices: A systematic assessment of intake levels and associated health burdens.” Circulation. 2015;132(8):639–66.
2. Processed Meats
Processed meats contain nitrates, sodium, and chemical preservatives that are associated with colorectal cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen.
Key Study:
- Bouvard V, Loomis D, Guyton KZ, et al. “Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat.” The Lancet Oncology. 2015;16(16):1599–1600.
3. Trans Fats
Artificial trans fats increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and are a potent driver of heart disease and systemic inflammation.
Key Study:
- Mozaffarian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, et al. “Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease.” New England Journal of Medicine. 2006;354(15):1601–13.
4. Refined Carbohydrates
Diets high in refined carbohydrates (e.g., white bread, pastries) are linked to insulin resistance, weight gain, and higher risk of metabolic syndrome.
Key Study:
- Hu FB, Malik VS. “Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes: Epidemiologic evidence.” Physiology & Behavior. 2010;100(1):47–54.
5. Excess Alcohol
Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, oral and liver cancers, and increased cardiovascular risk. The most recent data also suggest there is no completely safe level of alcohol intake.
Key Study:
- GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators. “Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016: A systematic analysis.” The Lancet. 2018;392(10152):1015–1035.
6. Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)
UPFs are industrially formulated, high in salt, sugar, additives, and low in nutritional value. Increased consumption is associated with inflammation, obesity, depression, and early mortality.
Key Study:
- Srour B, Fezeu LK, Kesse-Guyot E, et al. “Ultra-processed food intake and risk of mortality: Results from the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort.” BMJ. 2019;365:l1949.
7. Excess Red Meat
High consumption of red meat, especially grilled or processed forms, is associated with increased colorectal cancer risk and cardiovascular mortality.
Key Study:
- Pan A, Sun Q, Bernstein AM, et al. “Red meat consumption and mortality: Results from two prospective cohort studies.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2012;172(7):555–63.
8. Salt (Sodium Overload)
High sodium intake is a leading cause of hypertension, stroke, and heart failure. Most excess salt comes from processed foods and restaurant meals.
Key Study:
- Mozaffarian D, Fahimi S, Singh GM, et al. “Global sodium consumption and death from cardiovascular causes.” New England Journal of Medicine. 2014;371(7):624–634.
9. Tobacco (Smoked or Chewed)
Tobacco remains one of the most preventable causes of death, linked to cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and heart attacks.
Key Study:
- GBD 2015 Tobacco Collaborators. “Smoking prevalence and attributable disease burden in 195 countries and territories, 1990–2015.” The Lancet. 2017;389(10082):1885–1906.
10. Drug Misuse (Including Prescription Drugs)
Improper use of medications, especially opioids, benzodiazepines, and over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen, is a growing cause of overdose deaths and organ failure.
Key Study:
- Gomes T, Tadrous M, Mamdani MM, et al. “The burden of opioid-related mortality in the United States.” JAMA Network Open. 2018;1(2):e180217.
Conclusion
The data is clear: everyday consumption habits have profound and often deadly consequences. Sugar, salt, alcohol, tobacco, and ultra-processed foods are driving the global burden of chronic disease. Public health policy, education, and personal dietary choices must work in unison to reverse these trends.
References
- Singh GM, Micha R, Khatibzadeh S, et al. Circulation. 2015.
- Bouvard V, Loomis D, Guyton KZ, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2015.
- Mozaffarian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006.
- Hu FB, Malik VS. Physiol Behav. 2010.
- GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators. Lancet. 2018.
- Srour B, Fezeu LK, Kesse-Guyot E, et al. BMJ. 2019.
- Pan A, Sun Q, Bernstein AM, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2012.
- Mozaffarian D, Fahimi S, Singh GM, et al. N Engl J Med. 2014.
- GBD 2015 Tobacco Collaborators. Lancet. 2017.
- Gomes T, Tadrous M, Mamdani MM, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2018.