- Research reveals ultra-processed foods (UPFs) increase thigh muscle fattiness regardless of calorie consumption.
- High UPF intake is linked to fat infiltration in muscle tissue.
- The findings suggest potential links between UPFs and conditions like osteoarthritis highlighting the need for dietary quality in disease prevention.
A new study has revealed that diets high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can lead to increased thigh muscle fattiness even when calorie consumption is not excessive.
This finding highlights potential health risks associated with UPFs beyond their role in promoting overconsumption and obesity.
UPFs are mass-produced foods made predominantly from substances extracted from whole foods such as added sugars, fats and starches.
UPFs are designed to be highly palatable and convenient, often containing flavourings, preservatives and other industrial additives.
Examples include packaged snacks, sugary drinks and ready meals.
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Originally classified under the Nova food classification system by Brazilian scientist Carlos Monteiro, UPFs have been linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, cancer, tooth decay and even dementia.
The study, conducted by researchers in Turkey and the US, will be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
The researchers found that thigh muscle fat infiltration occurred independently of calorie intake suggesting that the type of food consumed – specifically ultra-processed foods – may play a critical role.
Using MRI scans, the researchers evaluated muscle fattiness in 666 participants at risk of osteoarthritis, a joint condition affecting over 500 million people globally.
The participants, mostly overweight men aged around 60 derived 40% of their diet from UPFs.
This study suggests that UPFs could also affect musculoskeletal health, with increased thigh muscle fat linked to their consumption.
- Toddlers get half their calories from ultra-processed foods
- Type 2 diabetes associated with high intake of ultra-processed foods
- Plant-based ultra-processed foods linked to poor health outcomes
Zehra Akkaya, one of the researchers explained “Muscle fatty infiltration could have important clinical implications and provide new perspectives on how diet quality impacts musculoskeletal health.”
The findings are particularly relevant for conditions like osteoarthritis which is closely associated with obesity and poor lifestyle choices.
Despite mounting evidence linking UPFs to various health problems, the food industry remains sceptical citing the lack of an official definition and limited causal evidence.
However, some countries, including Brazil, Israel and Belgium have started addressing UPFs in their dietary guidelines.
While further research is needed to establish a causal relationship, reducing the intake of UPFs could be a valuable step toward improving overall health and managing chronic conditions.
