High intake of ultra-processed food: effects on appetite, cardiometabolic health and biomarkers of dietary intake

Research problem and specific questionsUltra-processed foods (UPFs) have undergone extensive industrial processing and are proposed to delay satiety signaling, leading to overconsumption and weight gain.

While high consumption of UPF is associated with obesity and non-communicable disease, there is no established causal relationship between the degree of food processing, independent of nutrient profile, and health outcomes.

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 addition, biomarkers to assess UPF exposure will be identified.

The specific research questions are:What is the impact of a 6-week high UPF intake, compared to a nutrient-matched low UPF intake, on appetite and markers of cardiometabolic health?Can intake of UPF be accurately assessed through a priori defined candidate food intake biomarkers or biomarker patterns?Data and methodWe will perform a randomized, crossover study, comparing high (>90% of energy) and low (