Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health

Consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with increased caloric intake and impaired health. Here, we conducted a nutrition trial (NCT05368194) with controlled, 2 × 2 crossover design and tested whether ultra-processed food impairs reproductive and metabolic fitness, with further aggravation by excess caloric intake. Comparing the response from an unprocessed to ultra-processed diet identified increased body weight and low-density lipoprotein (LDL):high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, independent of caloric load. Several hormones involved in energy metabolism and spermatogenesis were affected, including decreased levels of growth/differentiation factor 15 and follicle-stimulating hormone. Sperm quality trended toward impairment, with a decrease in total motility. Differential accumulation of pollutants between the discordant diets were detected, such as decreased plasma lithium and a trend for increased levels of the phthalate mono(4-methyl-7-carboxyheptyl)phthalate (cxMINP) in serum, following the ultra-processed diet. Alteration in caloric load alone had distinct effects on the measured outcomes. This study provides evidence that consumption of ultra-processed food is detrimental for cardiometabolic and reproductive outcomes, regardless of excessive caloric intake.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cell Metabolism
Published
2025-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2025.08.004
Citations
16
Primary Topic
Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
30.06

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article

Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health

Stuart L. Simpson, Antonia Hufnagel, Romain Barrès, Vassilikos George et al.
16 citations
Cell Metabolism
Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
30.06
article

Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health

Stuart L. Simpson, Antonia Hufnagel, Romain Barrès, Vassilikos George, Clara Sanchez, Jodie H. Taylor, Signe S. Torekov, Lars Ängquist, Line Hjort, Karin Sørig ­Hougaard, Christian Lindh, Jeffrey M. Craig, Ann Normann Hansen, Marcelo A. Nóbrega, Jo Iversen, S. Hermann, Jessica M. Preston
article en
16 citations

Abstract

Consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with increased caloric intake and impaired health. Here, we conducted a nutrition trial (NCT05368194) with controlled, 2 × 2 crossover design and tested whether ultra-processed food impairs reproductive and metabolic fitness, with further aggravation by excess caloric intake. Comparing the response from an unprocessed to ultra-processed diet identified increased body weight and low-density lipoprotein (LDL):high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, independent of caloric load. Several hormones involved in energy metabolism and spermatogenesis were affected, including decreased levels of growth/differentiation factor 15 and follicle-stimulating hormone. Sperm quality trended toward impairment, with a decrease in total motility. Differential accumulation of pollutants between the discordant diets were detected, such as decreased plasma lithium and a trend for increased levels of the phthalate mono(4-methyl-7-carboxyheptyl)phthalate (cxMINP) in serum, following the ultra-processed diet. Alteration in caloric load alone had distinct effects on the measured outcomes. This study provides evidence that consumption of ultra-processed food is detrimental for cardiometabolic and reproductive outcomes, regardless of excessive caloric intake.

Cell MetabolismVol. 37(10)
University of Copenhagen (DK), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), The University of Sydney (AU), Royal Children's Hospital (AU), Inserm (FR), Lund University (SE), Novo Nordisk Foundation (DK), Copenhagen University Hospital (DK), Rigshospitalet (DK), University of Chicago (US), Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (FR)
Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Lunds Universitet, Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
30.06
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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