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A new study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that blood and urine molecules can indicate ultra-processed food consumption. Researchers identified biomarkers that reliably predict intake of these foods, which comprise nearly 60% of the American diet and are linked to various health problems. This discovery offers a more objective measure than relying on dietary recall, potentially clarifying the link between ultra-processed foods and health outcomes. The study used data from over 1,000 participants, finding a consistent signature of 28 blood and up to 33 urine markers predicting high ultra-processed food consumption. This breakthrough could advance research on the impact of ultra-processed foods on health conditions like type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.