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Key Points

Scientists discovered that ultra-processed foods cause more weight gain than unprocessed diets even with identical calorie counts. The study found these foods introduce pollutants known to harm sperm quality and reproductive health. Researchers observed decreased testosterone and increased hormone-disrupting substances in participants on processed diets. The findings suggest food processing itself—not just calories—makes these products harmful to metabolic and reproductive systems.

Key Points: Ultra-Processed Foods Cause Weight Gain and Sperm Harm Study Finds

  • Ultra-processed diets caused 1kg more fat gain than unprocessed diets
  • Processed foods introduced higher levels of sperm-harming pollutants
  • Men showed decreased testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels
  • Study revealed hormone-disrupting phthalate levels increased significantly
2 min read

Scientists find why ultra-processed diets make you gain fat even without extra calories: Study

New research reveals ultra-processed diets lead to fat gain and lower sperm quality even without extra calories, with alarming hormone and pollutant effects.

"We were shocked by how many body functions were disrupted by ultra-processed foods, even in healthy young men. - Professor Romain Barrès"

Washington DC, August 30

An international team of scientists has now discovered that people gain more weight on an ultra-processed diet compared to a minimally processed diet, even when they eat the same number of calories.

The study in humans also revealed that a diet high in ultra-processed foods introduces higher levels of pollutants that are known to affect sperm quality. The findings were published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

"Our results prove that ultra-processed foods harm our reproductive and metabolic health, even if they're not eaten in excess. This indicates that it is the processed nature of these foods that makes them harmful," says Jessica Preston, lead author of the study, who carried out the research during her PhD at the University of Copenhagen's NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR).

To get the best possible data, the scientists compared the health impact of unprocessed and ultra-processed diets on the same person. They recruited 43 men aged 20 to 35, who spent three weeks on each of the two diets, with three months 'washout' in between.

Half started on the ultra-processed and half started on the unprocessed diet. Half of the men also received a high-calorie diet with an extra 500 daily calories, while half received the normal amount of calories for their size, age and physical activity levels.

They were not told which diet they were on. Both the unprocessed and ultra-processed diets had the same amount of calories, protein, carbs and fats.

Men gained around 1 kg more of fat mass while on the ultra-processed diet compared to the unprocessed diet, regardless of whether they were on the normal or excess calorie diet. Several other markers of cardiovascular health were also affected.

The scientists also discovered a worrying increase in the level of the hormone-disrupting phthalate cxMINP, a substance used in plastics, in men on the ultra-processed diet. Men on this diet also saw decreases in their levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone, which are crucial for sperm production.

"We were shocked by how many body functions were disrupted by ultra-processed foods, even in healthy young men. The long-term implications are alarming and highlight the need to revise nutritional guidelines to better protect against chronic disease." says the study's senior author Professor Romain Barrès from the University of Copenhagen's NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, and the Universite Cote d'Azur.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Not surprised at all. The amount of processed foods in our markets has exploded. Maggi, biscuits, packaged snacks - they're everywhere. This study should make people think twice before reaching for that packet of chips.
D
David E
The fertility angle is particularly worrying. With declining sperm counts globally, this research shows how diet directly impacts reproductive health. Maybe we need stricter regulations on food packaging materials in India too.
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Ananya R
As a nutrition student, I appreciate that this was a controlled study with the same participants. The results are clear - processing matters, not just calories. Time to ditch those packaged "health" foods that are actually ultra-processed!
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Siddharth J
While the study is important, I wish they had included women participants too. The effects might differ, and in Indian context, women's nutritional needs are different. Hope future studies address this gap.
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Michael C
The plastic contamination angle is terrifying. We're literally eating microplastics with our processed foods. In India, where street food often comes in plastic containers, this is a double whammy. Need better food safety standards.

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