How Much Ultraprocessed Food Do You Eat? Blood and Urine Record It

image via New Scientist

May 22, 2025, 1:00 PM

• •A new study suggests blood and urine samples could provide an objective measure of diets.
• •Researchers found that, on average, ultra-processed food accounted for 50% of the participants’ energy intake.
• •Samples from people with diets rich in ultra-processed foods were more likely to contain a metabolite linked to an increased risk of type-2 diabetes.

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine indicates that blood and urine samples can objectively measure the consumption of ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to various health issues. The research, involving 718 participants, analyzed blood and urine samples for metabolites to determine the extent of ultra-processed food intake. The findings revealed that on average, ultra-processed food made up 50% of participants' energy intake, and those with higher consumption showed increased risk of type-2 diabetes. This method could enhance the understanding of links between ultra-processed food and diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

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