Khaberni - A new study has unveiled three worrying risks that threaten men's health due to ultra-processed foods, demonstrating negative impacts on weight, hormones, and reproductive health.
In innovative research from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, scientists attempted to identify the impact of industrial food processing on men’s health, while maintaining the calorie and nutrient content constant in the served meals.
Ultra-processed foods include canned products, beverages, cereals, and ready-to-eat meals that contain colors, emulsifiers, flavors, and other artificial additives. These foods are typically high in sugar, saturated fats, and salt, while almost devoid of vitamins and fibers.
Molecular biologist Romain Paris from the University of Copenhagen described the results as "alarming," noting that "many bodily functions are disrupted by ultra-processed foods, even among young healthy men." He added: "The long-term effects are worrying and highlight the need to revise dietary guidelines to protect against chronic diseases."
The study was published in the journal Cell Metabolism and involved 43 men aged between 20 and 35 years, who followed two different diets for three weeks each, with a three-month break between them.
One of the diets consisted of 77% of calories from ultra-processed foods, while the other relied on 66% unprocessed foods.
The results revealed three main risks:
• An average increase in fat mass by about one kilogram
• A concerning rise in levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals
• A decrease in testosterone levels and sperm production
The researchers point out that over the past fifty years, with the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods, sperm quality has declined globally. Scientists have long suspected a connection between these foods and reduced fertility.
Nutrition specialist Jessica Preston from the University of Copenhagen said: "Our results confirm that ultra-processed foods harm our reproductive and metabolic health, even if not consumed in excessive amounts. This indicates that the nature of industrial processing is what makes these foods harmful."
