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Can Ultra-Processed foods make you eat more? a study investigates
NCT ID NCT05290064
First seen Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study aims to understand how ultra-processed foods affect energy metabolism compared to unprocessed foods. Healthy adults aged 18-60 will stay at a research center for four weeks, eating different diets each week. Researchers will measure how much they eat, their metabolic rate, and other health markers to see if food processing influences calorie intake and energy use.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Diets varying in processing level, energy density, and hyperpalatability
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could clarify how food processing influences overeating and metabolism, potentially guiding dietary recommendations for obesity prevention.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is small and short-term, so findings may not apply broadly. Individual responses to diets can vary, and results may not reflect long-term effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
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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38 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
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 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Adults age 18-60 years, male and female * Weight stable (\< +/- 5 % body weight change over past 6 months) as determined by volunteer report * Body mass index (BMI) \> =20 kg/m2 * Body weight \> = 53 kg * Able to complete daily bouts of stationary cycling at a moderate rate and intensity with a HR equal to or greater than 0.3(SqrRoot) (220-age-HRrest)+HRrest but not exceeding 0.4(SqrRoot) (220-age-HRrest)+HRrest and no signs of arrhythmia * Willingness to comply with all study procedures and Lifestyle Considerations for the duration of the study per the discretion of the PI. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Evidence of diseases or conditions that may influence appetite (e.g., cancer, diabetes, alterations of smell or taste post COVID-19), or other conditions at the discretion of the PI and/or study team). * Taking prescription medications or other drugs that may influence appetite (including, but not limited to, diet/weight-loss medication or other medications at the discretion of the PI and/or study team) * Positive pregnancy test or lactation as determined by volunteer report (women only) * Participating in a regular exercise program (\> 2h/week of vigorous activity) as determined by volunteer report * Hematocrit \< 37% (women only) * Hematocrit \< 40% (men only) * Caffeine consumption \> 300 mg/day as determined by volunteer report * Alcohol consumption \> 3 drinks per day for men or \> 2 drinks per day for women as determined by volunteer report * Regular use of tobacco (smoking or chewing), amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, or marijuana over past 6 months as determined by volunteer report. Subjects may also be excluded based on a urine drug test. * Psychological conditions as determined by volunteer report such as (but not limited to) eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, that would be incompatible with safe and successful participation in this study, as determined by investigators * Volunteers with strict dietary concerns (e.g. vegetarian or kosher diet, food allergies) or a reported dislike of a significant fraction of the study foods * Volunteers unwilling or unable to give informed consent
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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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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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