Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed a new biomarker score that could offer an objective measure of ultra-processed food consumption. The study, published in PLOS Medicine on May 20, 2025, suggests this poly-metabolite score may reduce reliance on self-reported dietary data in large population studies.
Lead investigator Erikka Loftfield from NIH's National Cancer Institute explained the potential benefits: "Limitations of self-reported diet are well known. Metabolomics provides an exciting opportunity to not only improve our methods for objectively measuring complex exposures like diet and intake of ultra-processed foods, but also to understand the mechanisms by which diet might be impacting health."
Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products often high in calories and low in essential nutrients. These foods have been linked to increased risks of obesity and chronic diseases such as cancer. Traditional studies often rely on self-reported data, which can vary due to reporting differences and changes in the food supply.
The NIH researchers analyzed data from existing studies involving 718 older adults who provided biospecimens and dietary information over a year. Additionally, a small clinical trial with 20 adults at the NIH Clinical Center compared diets high and devoid of ultra-processed foods.
Using machine learning techniques, hundreds of metabolites were identified that correlated with energy intake from ultra-processed foods. The researchers developed separate poly-metabolite scores for blood and urine samples that effectively distinguished between phases of processed and unprocessed diets during trials.
While promising, these findings need replication across different age groups and populations with varied diets. Future research should explore the association between these scores and disease risks such as cancer or type 2 diabetes.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of NIH, leads efforts to reduce cancer prevalence through extensive research programs. More information about NCI's work can be found at cancer.gov or by calling their service line.
For broader insights into NIH's medical research initiatives across its institutes and centers, visit nih.gov.
