UPF Intake: Blood & Urine Biomarkers Identified
Groundbreaking research pinpoints reliable biomarkers in blood and urine, directly linking them to ultra-processed food (UPF) intake. This study, published in PLOS Medicine, identifies chemical fingerprints revealing how much of these foods people consume. Scientists analyzed samples from hundreds of adults, correlating metabolite scores with UPF consumption percentages. These scores accurately predicted UPF intake and were validated in a controlled NIH study, offering an objective measure of UPF consumption.the implications are significant, as these biomarkers could transform how we assess diet in population studies—a vital development highlighted by News Directory 3. researchers aim to refine these biomarkers across varied demographics to better understand UPF’s health impact.Discover what’s next as they explore future health implications.
Biomarkers Reliably Link to Ultra-Processed Food intake
Updated June 03, 2025
new research indicates that specific metabolites found in blood and urine samples can reliably indicate a person’s consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The study, published in PLOS Medicine, was conducted by Erikka Loftfield and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute.
The research addresses the challenge of accurately measuring UPF intake, which is ofen underreported. Ultra-processed foods constitute a important portion of many diets, yet their precise health effects remain unclear.
Scientists analyzed blood and urine samples from 718 older adults,alongside detailed dietary records. This analysis aimed to pinpoint chemical markers, or poly-metabolite scores, associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The study revealed that hundreds of metabolites in blood and urine correlated with the percentage of energy derived from UPFs.A poly-metabolite score, based on 28 blood metabolites or 33 urine metabolites, effectively predicted UPF intake among participants using self-reported dietary details. These scores were then validated in a controlled feeding study at the NIH Clinical Centre, involving 20 inpatients on strictly controlled diets. The biomarker scores successfully distinguished between high-UPF and no-UPF diets within subjects.
“The identified poly-metabolite scores could serve as objective measures of UPF intake in large population studies to complement or reduce reliance on self-reported dietary data,” the authors said.
the researchers suggest that these poly-metabolite scores should be further evaluated and refined across diverse populations with varying dietary habits and UPF consumption levels. This could provide novel insight into the role of ultra-processed foods in human health.
What’s next
Future research will focus on refining these biomarkers in diverse populations and exploring the long-term health implications of ultra-processed food consumption. The use of these biomarkers could improve the accuracy of dietary assessments and provide a clearer understanding of the impact of UPFs on public health.