Overview

• Researchers identified and validated poly-metabolite scores using 28 blood and 33 urine metabolites to reliably measure ultra-processed food (UPF) intake.
• The study, published in PLOS Medicine, confirmed these biomarkers in both a 718-participant observational study and a 20-person controlled feeding trial.
• Ultra-processed foods, which make up nearly 60% of the American diet, have been linked to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues.
• This is the first time biological markers have been used to objectively quantify UPF consumption, reducing reliance on self-reported dietary data.
• The findings could enable large-scale population studies, uncover biological mechanisms of UPF-related health risks, and inform public health policies.