Ultra-Processed foods hijack your metabolism and brain, study finds
NCT ID NCT06017986
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at how eating ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks) affects your metabolism and brain compared to minimally processed foods (like whole fruits and vegetables). Fifty-seven healthy adults ate both types of meals in a special room that measured their energy use, blood sugar, and insulin. They also did a task in an MRI scanner to see how much they valued different foods. The goal was to understand why people overeat ultra-processed foods.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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57 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Finished
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May 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Self report BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 * Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant during study participation Residing in the Roanoke area and/or willing/able to attend sessions at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute * Able to speak and write in English * Participants must be able to see a computer display clearly with or without vision correction (eyeglasses, contacts). Exclusion Criteria: * Claustrophobia (this would make lying in an MRI scanner or indirect calorimetry canopy very uncomfortable). 2\. History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for more than 10 minutes 3. Current or past diagnosis of diabetes or metabolic disorder (thyroid disease, etc.) 4. Contraindications to MRI: Individuals with pacemaker, aneurysm clips, neurostimulators, cochlear implants, metal in eyes, steel worker, or other implants. 5\. History of alcohol or drug dependence 6. Active neurologic disorder 8. Diagnosed eating disorder 9. Food allergies or restrictive diet
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Roanoke, Virginia, 24016, United States
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