Ultra Processed Foods News and Research

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Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured goods that contain additives like colors, flavors, emulsifiers, and preservatives, as well as materials that have been extracted from food, such as oils, fats, sugars, starches, and protein isolates. These goods, which include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant noodles, and prepared meals, are made to be shelf-stable, convenient, and extremely palatable. Despite the fact that they are frequently high in energy and low in nutrients, their consumption has grown significantly worldwide. There are calls for public health policies to limit the use of UPFs due to mounting evidence that they are linked to negative health outcomes, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer.

How much ultra-processed food is too much? This study has the answer

A meta-analysis across eight countries found that every 10% increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was linked to a 2.7% rise in all-cause mortality. The study estimates up to 124,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S. alone may be attributable to high UPF consumption.

1 May 2025

Ultra-processed foods make up nearly half of US grocery purchases, raising public health concerns

A 2025 study of nearly 60,000 US households found that almost half of grocery purchases were ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with major disparities based on income, education, and race. Non-Hispanic white households led in UPF purchases, especially in beverages, reversing earlier trends.

28 Apr 2025

Adolescent obesity in England rises by 50% over 15 years

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May) shows that the proportion of adolescents living with overweight or obesity in England has increased by 50% from 2008-2010 (22%) to 2021-2023 (33%).

12 Apr 2025

Are food additives linked to type 2 diabetes?

This study identifies food additive mixtures associated with higher type 2 diabetes risk, urging a reevaluation of safety assessments for combined additives.

10 Apr 2025

Eating ultra-processed foods may rewire your brain’s hunger and reward circuits

High intake of ultra-processed foods is linked to adverse metabolic health and microstructural brain changes in regions that control appetite and reward. These effects occur both through obesity-related pathways and independently via inflammation and dyslipidemia.

9 Apr 2025

Study links food additive mixtures to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Food additive mixtures are an everyday feature of our diets, especially through ultra-processed foods.

9 Apr 2025

Food-as-medicine could save billions in healthcare costs—here’s what’s standing in its way

Researchers review how Food-as-Medicine (FAM) interventions can improve health, reduce healthcare costs, and reshape food production systems. They emphasize the urgent need for clinical validation before scaling individualized nutrition solutions.

8 Apr 2025

Study links linoleic acid to triple-negative breast cancer growth

Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in seed oils such as soybean and safflower oil, and animal products including pork and eggs, specifically enhances the growth of the hard-to-treat "triple negative" breast cancer subtype, according to a preclinical study led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

1 Apr 2025

Eating ultra-processed food daily increases depression risk in older adults

Eating four or more servings of ultra-processed food daily increases the risk of depression by 10% in older adults and modestly reduces their mental health-related quality of life.

30 Mar 2025

Scientists link emulsifiers in processed foods to allergy and immune disorders

Review identifies common food additives in ultra-processed foods—particularly emulsifiers like carrageenan and polysorbate 80—as key drivers of gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and allergic diseases by disrupting intestinal barriers and activating proinflammatory pathways.

26 Mar 2025

The best diet for aging well, backed by a 30-year study of 100,000 people

A 30-year study of over 100,000 U.S. adults found that consistent adherence to healthy dietary patterns, especially the AHEI, was strongly linked to successful aging. Diets rich in plant-based foods and healthy fats, with some low-fat animal products, improved physical, mental, and cognitive health.

25 Mar 2025

Plant-based diets and IBD

This study highlights the link between plant-based diets and reduced IBD risk, suggesting dietary choices play a crucial role in managing chronic inflammation.

19 Mar 2025

Vegan diets aid weight loss, but cutting animal-based processed foods matters most

A vegan diet rich in low-fat plant-based foods can lead to significant weight loss, regardless of food processing levels, whereas reducing processed animal foods is strongly linked to lower body weight.

18 Mar 2025

Could a keto diet replace diabetes meds? New research explores the possibilities

A review published in Nutrients finds that ketogenic diets (KD) may offer superior benefits for weight loss, blood sugar control, and inflammation compared to other diets. Researchers also highlight potential mental health improvements but call for more clinical trials.

11 Mar 2025

How the FDA lets chemicals pour into America’s food supply

Joseph Shea, who sells athletic wear in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, wonders and worries about the food he eats.

10 Mar 2025

Putting away phones during meals cuts junk food intake among teens

Adolescents distracted by phones or social media during meals consume significantly more ultra-processed foods and have lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Promoting mindful eating may help adolescents improve diet quality and overall health.

6 Mar 2025

Eating ultra-processed foods harms your gut—here’s how inflammation takes hold

Ultra-processed foods disrupt gut microbiome balance, causing inflammation, reduced microbial diversity, and increased gut permeability. This microbiome imbalance contributes to chronic diseases including diabetes, IBD, cancer, and neurological disorders.

6 Mar 2025