Blood Test Uncovers Quantity of Processed Food Consumption
In a groundbreaking study led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), scientists have identified a novel method to quantify an individual's consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) by analyzing their blood and urine samples. For the first time, this research has uncovered distinctive biological fingerprints that reliably indicate the intake of industrially manufactured foods.
Ultra-processed foods, including sugary cereals, sodas, frozen pizzas, and processed meats, make up the majority of people's diets worldwide, accounting for nearly 60% of the average American's calorie intake. Previously, scientists have struggled to measure the exact consumption of these foods due to the inherent unreliability of relying on self-reported dietary surveys.
In an effort to tackle this challenge, researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute focused on analyzing metabolites - molecules produced during digestion and metabolism. Working with 718 participants aged 50 to 74, the team collected blood and urine samples twice per year and requested detailed food logs. Using machine learning algorithms, they analyzed more than a thousand metabolites to identify patterns indicative of UPF consumption.
The findings revealed that individuals with high UPF consumption (up to 82% of daily calories) displayed distinct metabolic signatures, informed by higher levels of specific metabolites. Their samples also demonstrated a dearth of compounds associated with fresh fruits and vegetables.
The researchers tested their method by drawing on data from a controlled study conducted at the NIH Clinical Center. Twenty volunteers consumed diets rich in either ultraprocessed or whole foods for designated periods. By examining blood and urine samples, the scientists could accurately discriminate between the two diet phases without relying on self-reported food intake.
With this method, researchers have developed a so-called "poly-metabolite score" to estimate the proportion of energy derived from UPFs, using only 28 blood markers or 33 urine markers. This breakthrough offers a more objective measure of UPF consumption in the pursuit of understanding the health impacts of these foods and their relationship to chronic diseases like cancer.
It's important to note that this study did not set out to prove that ultraprocessed foods cause health issues; neither did it identify the specific ingredients responsible for potential health risks. Nonetheless, this reliable method of measuring UPF intake could provide key insights into the complexities of nutrition science, paving the way for a more accurate understanding of the relationship between diet, health, and disease.
The research was published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
[1] National Institutes of Health[2] Cell Metabolism[3] PLOS Medicine[4] Nature[5] U.S. National Cancer Institute[6] Cell Metabolism (2022)[7] PLOS Medicine (forthcoming)
- This newly developed method, based on analyzing metabolites in blood and urine samples, could potentially revolutionize the field of nutrition science by offering a more accurate way to measure the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
- The health implications of UPFs and their potential relationship to chronic diseases like cancer might become clearer with this new, objective measurement tool for UPF intake.
- With a focus on a health-and-wellness approach, this research could lead to improved medical-conditions management by providing insights into the complexities of nutrition and its impact on the body.
- Fitness-and-exercise, along with a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, is still crucial for overall health and wellness, but this groundbreaking research in science provides a significant step towards understanding the impact of UPFs on our health.
