A recent study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explored how ultraprocessed foods impact human health. These foods now make up over 70% of the U.S. food supply and often contain high amounts of fat, sugar, and salt. Examples include sweetened cereals, frozen pizza, and chips. The study aimed to see if eating these foods leads to consuming more calories, which can cause weight gain and other health problems. Participants, such as Sam Srisatta, stayed in a controlled environment for 28 days. Their meals were carefully planned by NIH dietitians, and their health, activity, and food intake were closely watched.

The results showed that people who ate ultraprocessed foods consumed around 1,000 more calories each day compared to those who ate less processed meals. This led to noticeable weight gain. Experts think that the combination of fat, sugar, salt, and carbs makes these foods more appealing and easy to overeat. While some scientists thought the study was too short, others said longer and larger studies could give more insight. Still, the findings suggest that changing how ultraprocessed foods are made could help people eat less.