Researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute have discovered that certain molecules in blood and urine can signal the amount of energy obtained from ultraprocessed foods. The study was published in the journal PLOS Medicine in May 2025. Ultraprocessed foods—such as sugary cereals, sodas, chips, and frozen meals—constitute nearly 60 percent of the American diet and are associated with various health risks. These products are made using industrial methods and contain additives not typically used in home kitchens. The study used data from more than 1,000 older adults participating in an AARP health survey, over 700 of whom provided biological samples and dietary records.

Researchers analyzed these samples and identified hundreds of metabolites—compounds formed during digestion and other bodily processes—that corresponded with ultraprocessed food intake. Based on these findings, the team developed a scoring method using 28 blood markers and up to 33 urine markers to objectively assess consumption. The method was tested in a 2019 clinical trial involving 20 adults who consumed matched diets of processed and unprocessed foods. The metabolite scores accurately reflected changes in ultraprocessed food consumption. Experts noted that the method offers a more precise, reliable, and standardized approach to measuring dietary intake. The study also suggested a potential link between high intake of ultraprocessed foods and type 2 diabetes. Researchers plan to apply this scoring system in broader studies to investigate possible connections between ultraprocessed food consumption and chronic diseases such as cancer.