Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If someone told you to stop eating your favorite food, how would you feel? Why?
- Do you think science can help people choose better food? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- urine /YOOR-in/
- diabetes /dahy-uh-BEE-tis/
- biological /bahy-uh-LOJ-i-kuhl/
- trial /TRAHY-uhl/
- intake /IN-teyk/
[noun] – the yellow liquid waste that comes out of the body through the bladder
The doctor asked the patient to give a urine sample for testing.
[noun] – a disease in which the body cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood
Eating too much sugar over time may increase the risk of diabetes.
[adjective] – related to the body or living things
The lab tested the biological samples for signs of infection.
[noun] – a test to see if something works well, often used in medicine or research
The new medicine is now in the first stage of a medical trial.
[noun] – the amount of something, such as food or drink, that a person eats or drinks
She reduced her sugar intake to lose weight.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute have developed a method to measure how much ultraprocessed food a person eats by analyzing molecules in blood and urine. The study was published in PLOS Medicine in May 2025. Ultraprocessed foods include sugary cereals, soft drinks, chips, and frozen meals. These items make up nearly 60% of the American diet and are linked to serious health problems, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. They are made using industrial techniques and include additives not found in home cooking.
The study used data from over 1,000 older adults, with more than 700 providing both food records and biological samples. Scientists identified hundreds of metabolites—substances created when the body digests food—that matched the amount of ultraprocessed food people consumed. Researchers then created a scoring system using 28 blood markers and up to 33 urine markers. The method was tested in a 2019 clinical trial with 20 adults who ate both processed and unprocessed meals. The scores clearly showed changes in food intake. Experts say this system offers a more accurate, scientific way to track eating habits. The researchers plan to use it in future studies to explore links between ultraprocessed food and long-term diseases such as cancer.
The study used data from over 1,000 older adults, with more than 700 providing both food records and biological samples. Scientists identified hundreds of metabolites—substances created when the body digests food—that matched the amount of ultraprocessed food people consumed. Researchers then created a scoring system using 28 blood markers and up to 33 urine markers. The method was tested in a 2019 clinical trial with 20 adults who ate both processed and unprocessed meals. The scores clearly showed changes in food intake. Experts say this system offers a more accurate, scientific way to track eating habits. The researchers plan to use it in future studies to explore links between ultraprocessed food and long-term diseases such as cancer.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Who developed a way to measure ultraprocessed food intake?
- What do researchers study to find how much ultraprocessed food someone eats?
- Which foods are examples of ultraprocessed foods?
- What health problems are linked to ultraprocessed foods?
- What do researchers want to study in the future using this system?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever eaten foods like chips, soft drinks, or frozen meals? If yes, which one do you eat the most? If not, what kind of snacks or meals do you usually eat?
- Have you ever tried to eat healthier or change your diet? If yes, what changes did you make? If not, would you like to try a healthier diet in the future? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that this new test using blood and urine can help people eat better?
- How can people learn which foods are healthy or unhealthy?
- How do you think this new method from scientists can help doctors and patients in the future?