Highly processed foods eat too much and gain weight

MADRID, May 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –

According to the results of a study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), people consuming ultra-processed foods ingested more calories and gained more weight than when they were dieting. with little processed foods. The difference occurred despite the fact that the meals provided to volunteers in ultra-processed and minimally processed diets contained the same amount of calories and macronutrients.

This small-scale study of 20 adult volunteers, conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes, Kidney and Digestive Diseases (NIDDK) of the NIH, is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of lymphadenopathy. ultra-processed food as defined by the NOVA clbadification system. This system considers "ultra-processed" foods if they contain ingredients that are found mainly in manufacturing. industrial foods, such as hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, flavoring agents and emulsifiers.

Previous observational studies observed by large groups of people have shown badociations between diets rich in processed foods and health problems. But as none of the previous badyzes had randomized people to eat specific foods and then measure the results, scientists could not say for sure if processed foods alone were a problem or if people who consumed them had problems. health problems for other reasons, such as lack of access to fresh food.

"Although we examined a small group, the results of this tightly controlled experiment showed a clear and consistent difference between the two regimes," said lead author Kevin D. Hall, principal investigator of NIDDK. "This is the first study showing causality: ultra-processed foods "cause people to eat too many calories and gain weight"he adds.

For the study, published in "Cell Metabolism", the researchers admitted 20 healthy adult volunteers, 10 men and 10 women, to the NIH clinical center for one month in a row and, in a random two-week order for each diet, they provided meals consisting of ultra-processed foods or poorly processed foods. For example, an ultra-processed breakfast can be made up of a bread with cream cheese and turkey bacon, while the unprocessed breakfast is made of oatmeal with bananas, walnuts and skimmed milk.

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Ultra-processed and unprocessed meals contained the same amounts of calories, sugars, fiber, fat and carbohydrates, and participants could eat as much or as little as they wanted. In the ultra-processed diet, people consume about 500 more calories per day than in the unprocessed diet.

They also ate faster with the ultra-processed diet and gained weight, while losing weight with the unprocessed diet. Participants, on average, took 0.9 kg, or 2 pounds, while they were on an ultra-processed diet and lost an equivalent amount in their unprocessed diet.

"We need to determine what specific aspect of the ultra-processed foods has affected people's eating behavior and has led them to gain weight," said Hall. The next step is to design similar studies with a reformulated ultra-transformed diet to determine if these changes can remove the effect of the diet on caloric intake and body weight."For example, slight differences in protein levels between ultra-processed and unprocessed diets in this study could account for half of the difference in caloric intake.

"Over time, extra calories accumulate and this extra weight can lead to serious illness," said Griffin P. Rodgers, director of NIDDK. He adds, "Such research is important for understanding the role of nutrition in health and can also help people identify nutritious and accessible foods that help them stay healthy in the long term." .

Although the study reinforces the benefits of unprocessed foods, the researchers point out that it can be difficult to limit ultra-processed foods. "We have to keep in mind that more time and more money is needed to prepare less processed foods," said Hall. "Telling people to eat healthier may not be effective for some people without better access to food. in good health. "