Few topics in nutrition research have generated as much interest in recent years as ultra-processed foods. As evidence linking UPF consumption to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other adverse health outcomes continues to grow, attention is increasingly shifting towards a critical next step: understanding the biological mechanisms that may underpin these associations. 

To help advance research in this rapidly evolving field, Nutrition & Diabetes is launching the collection Health Outcomes of Ultra-processed Foods. The collection aims to bring together research that moves beyond observational associations to provide deeper insights into how UPFs interact with human biology and contribute to health outcomes. 

Why submit to this collection?

Despite increasing public and scientific interest in ultra-processed foods, many important questions remain unanswered. Which components of UPFs are driving adverse health outcomes? How do processing methods influence metabolism? What role does the gut microbiome play? And can emerging tools such as metabolomics and dietary biomarkers help us better understand exposure and risk? 

By bringing together expertise from across nutrition, metabolism, gastroenterology, epidemiology, and public health, this collection seeks to create a dedicated forum for addressing these challenges. Researchers have a unique opportunity to contribute to an evidence base that could help inform future dietary recommendations, prevention strategies, and therapeutic approaches.

Topics of Particular Interest

We welcome submissions exploring metabolic pathways, dietary biomarkers, gut microbiome interactions, metabolomics, gut barrier integrity, the gut-brain axis, and regional dietary patterns. Studies integrating clinical, epidemiological, and experimental evidence are particularly encouraged, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of this research area. 

Contributing to the next phase of UPF research

As discussions around ultra-processed foods continue to evolve, there is a growing need for robust mechanistic evidence that can help explain observed health outcomes and identify potential intervention targets. This collection provides an opportunity for researchers to help shape the next phase of scientific understanding in this important area of nutrition and metabolic health.