Health Effects of Ultra-processed Food Intake

Health Effects of Ultra-processed Food Intake: a Randomized Crossover Feeding Study

Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake has been related to negative health effects and increased energy intake in previous intervention studies. Thus, previous studies have seen weight gain from higher UPF intake which obscures the potential to see effects on cardiometabolic biomarkers, independent of weight changes. The overall aim of this project is to study the causal effects of a high UPF diet, compared to a nutrient-matched low UPF diet, on appetite and cardiometabolic health in a weight-stable context.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20-60 years
• Weight stable (less than 5% weight change in the past 3 months)
• No plans to change weight
• Willing to eat the study diet and a mixed diet
• Habitually eats breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Has provided informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy or intolerance to foods included in the study. Participants with lactose intolerance treated with lactase may participate if they take enzymes.
• BMI <18.5 or >35 kg/m²
• >8h/week of intense physical activity
• Use of medications known to significantly affect appetite (e.g., oral corticosteroids, antipsychotic medications, or GLP-1 receptor agonists)
• Use of lipid-lowering medications (e.g., statins or PCSK9 inhibitors)
• Diagnosed diabetes or capillary blood glucose at or above 12.2 mmol/L
• Disease associated with malabsorption (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease)
• Previous bariatric surgery
• Established cardiovascular disease (heart failure, myocardial infarction, or stroke) or cancer
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant or breastfeed during the study
• Deemed likely to have poor adherence