Processed and ultra processed foods make up the majority of Americans’ daily caloric consumption and poor nutrition. These foods continued to be studied due to their negative impact on our health. In particular, researchers have noted these are associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, elevated blood sugar, and poor cardiovascular health. A new research study has linked these foods with our muscle and skeletal health.
Akkaya and colleagues published their findings on the association between ultra processed foods and muscular health in the journal Radiology (2026). Authors utilized subjective reports of dietary intake and compared their MRI results on the hip and knee muscle’s composition. In total over 600 pain free participants were included (340 women, average age 60 years) in the analysis. They reported increased fat content between and within muscle fibers of the participants, similar to fat marbling on a steak, with higher ultra processed food intake. Prior researchers have shown this muscular composition is associated with poor cardiovascular health.
