Ultraprocessed or minimally processed diets following healthy dietary guidelines on weight and cardiometabolic health: a randomized, crossover trial

Abstract (PubMed)

In a 2×2 crossover randomized controlled feeding trial, 55 adults in England (BMI ≥25 to <40, habitual UPF intake ≥50% kcal/day) were provided with two 8-week ad libitum diets following the UK Eatwell Guide: (1) minimally processed food (MPF) and (2) UPF, in random order. 50 participants comprised the intention-to-treat sample. The primary outcome was the within-participant difference in percent weight change (%WC). MPF (%WC, −2.06 [95% CI −2.99, −1.13]) and UPF (%WC, −1.05 [95% CI −1.98, −0.13]) resulted in weight loss, with significantly greater %WC on MPF (Δ%WC, −1.01 [95% CI −1.87, −0.14], P=0.024; Cohen's d, −0.48). Mild gastrointestinal adverse events were common on both diets. Findings indicate greater weight loss on MPF than UPF diets.