Recent research indicates that blood and urine tests can reveal the consumption levels of ultra-highly processed foods (UPFs).
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) utilized machine learning to identify numerous metabolites—essentially the byproducts of metabolism—that relate to the intake of processed foods.
According to a researcher from the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, the team created a “biomarker score” capable of predicting UPF consumption based on the analysis of blood and urine metabolites.
The study analyzed baseline data from 718 older adults who provided urine and blood samples, detailing their dietary habits over a year, as per the NIH’s press release.
Subsequently, small clinical trials were carried out involving 20 adults.
For a two-week span, participants consumed meals rich in UPFs, followed by another two weeks of meals without them.
“Our study revealed that a wide range of serum and urine metabolites correlates with the energy percentage derived from ultra-highly processed food,” Loftfield shared with Fox News Digital.
The research results were published in the Journal Plos Medicine.
Often, large studies assessing the health impacts of UPFs depend on dietary questionnaires, which rely on self-reports, according to the NIH.
The newly developed blood and urine tests aim to minimize inaccuracies by employing objective biomarkers, an area gaining traction among researchers.
“It was unexpected to find that metabolites linked to UPFs are involved in various biological pathways, underscoring the complicated ways diet influences our metabolome,” noted Loftfield.
The NIH describes ultra-processed foods as “ready-to-eat or rapidly manufactured products, typically high in calories and low in essential nutrients.”
Diets high in UPFs are linked to chronic diseases, obesity, and various cancer types.
Looking forward
Despite these encouraging findings, researchers stress that the new methods need further validation before widespread application.
As the trials predominantly involved older adults, there is a call for additional research across various age groups and dietary habits.
“It’s necessary to evaluate and refine the metabolite scores in populations with diverse diets and varying UPF consumption levels,” Loftfield acknowledged.
Researchers believe this approach could aid future studies in connecting processed food consumption with chronic health issues.
“For those concerned about their ultra-processed food intake, a practical tip is to check nutritional labels to steer clear of high levels of sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.’
