Does ultraprocessed food consumption increase muscle fat?

Investigators examined whether diets high in ultraprocessed foods can worsen musculoskeletal health.

In a cross-sectional study published in Radiology, the investigators used 2004 to 2015 data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative to analyze the relationship between ultraprocessed food consumption and thigh muscle fat infiltration on MRI in a group of more than 600 patients at risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. The patients did not report knee or hip pain and had no radiographic osteoarthritis at baseline.

Among the participants, the mean proportion of the diet that included ultraprocessed foods was just over 40%. Those who had a higher intake of ultraprocessed foods had higher levels of muscle fat infiltration in the thigh muscles, bilateral flexors and bilateral adductors. There were no statistically significant differences on the basis of sex.

The findings suggested there may be a link between diets high in ultraprocessed foods and poor muscle quality.

Read more: Radiology

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