The USC study found that increased intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in young adults aged 17 to 22 with a history of overweight or obesity is strongly associated with a higher risk for developing prediabetes and impaired glucose regulation over a four-year span.
The research followed 85 young adults and tracked their UPF consumption alongside glucose homeostasis markers such as fasting insulin and oral glucose tolerance test results.
A 10% increase in calories from UPFs corresponded to a 64% higher risk of prediabetes and a 56% increase in impaired blood sugar regulation
