Study identifies metabolic changes caused by ultra-processed foods, raising concerns about their role in obesity, cardiovascular disease, and gut health disruption. Study: Association of ultra-processed foods intake with untargeted metabolomics profiles in adolescents and young adults in the DONALD cohort study . Image Credit: Rimma Bondarenko / Shutterstock Scientists in France and Germany have conducted a study to identify urine and plasma metabolic biomarkers associated with ultra-processed food intake in adolescents and young adults.
The study is currently available as a pre-proof in The Journal of Nutrition . Background Ultra-processed foods refer to industrially processed food products containing food-derived or reconstituted ingredients and other industrially isolated components. These components are typically used to increase the shelf-life and sensory properties of the products.
The intake of ultra-processed foods is increasing exponentially worldwide, especially in developed countries. Epidemiological studies have consistently linked high intake of ultra-processed foods, particularly animal-based food products and sweetened beverages, to increased risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. Excessive intake of ultra-processed foods is also associated with chronic kidney disease, cancer, and neuropsychiatric complications.
Ultra-processed foods contain excessive amounts of added sugars, salts, saturated fats, energy-dense components, and lower .