Metabolomics-Driven Insights Into Ultra-Processed Foods: Identifying High-Risk UPF Subtypes for T2D Prevention
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Summary
The goal of this dietary intervention study in generally healthy adults is to develop new ways to use blood samples to measure the common types of highly processed foods and beverages that people eat on a regular basis. The main aims to answer are: What small molecules are elevated in blood after eating different types of highly processed foods and beverages consistently for 1 week? Researchers will compare 3 different test diets with 1 control diet that does not have any highly processed foods in the same individuals to see which circulating blood markers change. Participants will: * Complete 3 diet phases, each 2 weeks long * Receive a meal plan and study foods and beverages to follow for each 2-week phase * Come to the clinic every week for blood draws, urine samples, and stool collection kits
Description
UPFs, characterized by industrial processing and the use of cosmetic additives for enhanced palatability and extended shelf-life, account for approximately 58% of caloric intake in the U.S. population. Although some UPF subtypes have been implicated in increasing risk of T2D and other chronic diseases, others may be relatively inert or even beneficial, underscoring the need for discerning their distinct health effects. This trial is a controlled crossover feeding trial design with target enrollment of 40 generally healthy adults. Partcipants complete 3 2-week isocaloric dietary intervention ph…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 20–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults, ages 20 to 65 years. * BMI 18.5 to 39.9 kg/m2. * No known food allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities (e.g., gluten, dairy, monosodium-glutamate). * Not following a restrictive diet for health, religious, or other reasons (e.g., vegetarian, vegan). * Willingness to participate and give informed consent. * Willingness to consume dietary intervention foods and beverages. Exclusion Criteria: * BMI \<18.5 or \>39.9 kg/m2. * Pregnant, lactating, or planning on becoming pregnant in the next 6 months. * History of bariatric surgery. * Currently taking medications i…
Interventions
- OtherUPF Test Diet A: Starchy, refined grains
The 2-week diet phase includes a standardized control run-in diet with non-UPFs only for 7 days, immediately followed by a 7-day UPF test diet with \~60% of calories from UPFs consistently of starchy foods and refined grain products. Participants receive all study-provided meals and snacks. The diets are standardized and consumed during the assigned intervention period as part of the randomized crossover feeding trial.
- OtherUPF Test Diet B: Meat, fish, and bread products
The 2-week diet phase includes a standardized control run-in diet with non-UPFs only for 7 days, immediately followed by a 7-day UPF test diet with \~60% of calories from UPFs consisting of meat, fish, and bread products. Participants receive all study-provided meals and snacks. The diets are standardized and consumed during the assigned intervention period as part of the randomized crossover feeding trial.
- OtherUPF Diet C: Dairy products, including cheese and cream
The 2-week diet phase includes a standardized control run-in diet with non-UPFs only for 7 days, immediately followed by a 7-day UPF test diet with \~60% of calories from UPFs consisting of dairy products, including cheese and cream. Participants receive all study-provided meals and snacks. The diets are standardized and consumed during the assigned intervention period as part of the randomized crossover feeding trial.
Location
- Brigham and Women's Hopital Center for Clinical InvestigationBoston, Massachusetts