A randomised controlled clinical trial on overweight or obese subjects has assessed ultra and minimally processed food based diets following the UK healthy dietary guidelines (Eatwell). After the 8-week intervention, the participants whatever the group have shown a significant weight loss compared with the baseline value. The weight loss was significantly greater in the minimally processed food group compared with the ultra-processed food group.
Study objectives: to assess the health impact of food processing in the context of healthy dietary guidance.
- Primary outcome: percentage weight change between the ultra-processed food (UPF) diet and the minimally processed food (MPF) diet.
- Secondary outcomes: changes in anthropometrics, body composition, cardio-metabolic and appetite-related outcomes between UPF and MPF diets.
Study design: a 2X2 cross-over randomised controlled feeding trial. 2 feeding periods of 8 weeks following a 2-week basal period. Feeding periods were separated by a 4-week wash out period.
Participants: 55 subjects randomly allocated to sequence UPF/MPF (n=27) and to sequence MPF/UPF (n=28). Overweight or obese adults (IMC≥25 et <40 kg/m2) with habitual UPF intake ≥ 50% kcal/d. Mean age = 43,2 y, women (90%), 65,5% of white ethnicity.
Feeding intervention: 2 diets following the UK Eatwell guide and balanced in terms of macronutrients and food groups : a UPF based diet and MPF based diet. Meals, snacks and drinks were provided free and delivered to participants ‘homes . The NOVA classification was used to classify UPF and MPF foods . Participants were asked to consume as much or as little of the provided diets as desired and to only consume diets provided.
The dietary recommendations were to choose foods lower in saturated fat, added sugars and salt, consuming 5 daily portions of fruit and vegetables, basing meals on starchy carbohydrates and eating a variety of foods in the right proportions.
Results:
In the ITT population (n=50 including 23 in the sequence MPF/UPF and 27 in the sequence UPF/MPF), it was shown a significant weight change in both groups from baseline to week 8. MPF %Weight change (WC) , -2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI), -2.99, -1.13) and UPF (%WC, -1.05 (95% confidence interval, -1.98, -0.13). The weight loss was significantly greater in the MPF group than in the UPF group (-1.01 (95% confidence interval,-1.87, -0.14) (p<0,024).
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Secondary outcomes:
- Weight and BMI were significantly lower at 8 weeks from baseline with a significantly greater reduction in body weight and BMI on MPF group versus UPF group. No significant differences in waist circumference and waist to height ratio.
- Fat mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat rating and total body water mass were significantly lower at 8 weeks from baseline on the MPF group but not on the UPF group. These reductions were significantly greater on the MPF group versus the UPF group.
- Blood triglycerides were significantly lower at 8 weeks from baseline on the MPF group only.
- Improvement in craving control on the MPF group versus the UPF group.
To conclude, in this clinical trial performed in UK on overweight or obese subjects, MPF diet and UPF diet following the UK healthy dietary guidelines (Eatwell) provided significant weight loss (%) from baseline to week 8 with significantly greater reduction on the MPF group. Greater reductions in body weight, BMI, fat mass as well as in blood triglycerides and craving were shown on MPF versus UPF. At the opposite, LDL chol was lower on the UPF group. Overall, these findings suggest favorable changes in body composition and craving control when adhering to national dietary guidance with a diet with MPF rather than UPF.
If you want to know more on this clinical trial from Samuel J. Dicken published on 5 August 2025.
Orchidali can contribute to a scientific literature review.
Français
Which effects of an ultra-processed food-based diet following the dietary recommendations?
A randomised controlled clinical trial on overweight or obese subjects has assessed ultra and minimally processed food based diets following the UK healthy dietary guidelines (Eatwell). After the 8-week intervention, the participants whatever the group have shown a significant weight loss compared with the baseline value. The weight loss was significantly greater in the minimally processed food group compared with the ultra-processed food group.
Study objectives: to assess the health impact of food processing in the context of healthy dietary guidance.
Study design: a 2X2 cross-over randomised controlled feeding trial. 2 feeding periods of 8 weeks following a 2-week basal period. Feeding periods were separated by a 4-week wash out period.
Participants: 55 subjects randomly allocated to sequence UPF/MPF (n=27) and to sequence MPF/UPF (n=28). Overweight or obese adults (IMC≥25 et <40 kg/m2) with habitual UPF intake ≥ 50% kcal/d. Mean age = 43,2 y, women (90%), 65,5% of white ethnicity.
Feeding intervention: 2 diets following the UK Eatwell guide and balanced in terms of macronutrients and food groups : a UPF based diet and MPF based diet. Meals, snacks and drinks were provided free and delivered to participants ‘homes . The NOVA classification was used to classify UPF and MPF foods . Participants were asked to consume as much or as little of the provided diets as desired and to only consume diets provided.
The dietary recommendations were to choose foods lower in saturated fat, added sugars and salt, consuming 5 daily portions of fruit and vegetables, basing meals on starchy carbohydrates and eating a variety of foods in the right proportions.
Results:
Primary outcome:
In the ITT population (n=50 including 23 in the sequence MPF/UPF and 27 in the sequence UPF/MPF), it was shown a significant weight change in both groups from baseline to week 8. MPF %Weight change (WC) , -2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI), -2.99, -1.13) and UPF (%WC, -1.05 (95% confidence interval, -1.98, -0.13). The weight loss was significantly greater in the MPF group than in the UPF group (-1.01 (95% confidence interval,-1.87, -0.14) (p<0,024).
Secondary outcomes:
To conclude, in this clinical trial performed in UK on overweight or obese subjects, MPF diet and UPF diet following the UK healthy dietary guidelines (Eatwell) provided significant weight loss (%) from baseline to week 8 with significantly greater reduction on the MPF group. Greater reductions in body weight, BMI, fat mass as well as in blood triglycerides and craving were shown on MPF versus UPF. At the opposite, LDL chol was lower on the UPF group. Overall, these findings suggest favorable changes in body composition and craving control when adhering to national dietary guidance with a diet with MPF rather than UPF.
If you want to know more on this clinical trial from Samuel J. Dicken published on 5 August 2025.
Orchidali can contribute to a scientific literature review.
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