A randomized crossover trial revealed that ultra-processed food (UPF) significantly impacts weight, lipid measures, and reproductive and metabolic hormones in healthy young men. The study involved 43 participants aged 20 to 35, who alternated between a UPF diet, consisting of 77% highly processed foods, and an unprocessed diet, which accounted for 66%. It found weight gain of approximately 1.3-1.4 kg with UPF, alongside hormonal changes, increased cholesterol levels, and decreased sperm motility, emphasizing the need for further research on UPF’s long-term effects on fertility.

Source: Cell Metabolism