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

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.

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Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{preston2026effect,
  title = {{Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health}},
  author = {Jessica M Preston and Jo Iversen and Antonia Hufnagel and Line Hjort and Jodie Taylor and Clara Sanchez and Victoria George and Ann N Hansen and Lars Ängquist and Susan Hermann and Jeffrey M Craig and Signe Torekov and Christian Lindh and Karin S Hougaard and Marcelo A Nóbrega and Stephen J Simpson and Romain Barrès},
  journal = {Cell Metabolism},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1016/j.cmet.2025.08.004},
  url = {https://hal.science/hal-05849815v1},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health
AU  - Jessica M Preston
AU  - Jo Iversen
AU  - Antonia Hufnagel
AU  - Line Hjort
AU  - Jodie Taylor
AU  - Clara Sanchez
AU  - Victoria George
AU  - Ann N Hansen
AU  - Lars Ängquist
AU  - Susan Hermann
AU  - Jeffrey M Craig
AU  - Signe Torekov
AU  - Christian Lindh
AU  - Karin S Hougaard
AU  - Marcelo A Nóbrega
AU  - Stephen J Simpson
AU  - Romain Barrès
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/03
JO  - Cell Metabolism
DO  - 10.1016/j.cmet.2025.08.004
UR  - https://hal.science/hal-05849815v1
AB  - 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.
SN  - 1550-4131
ER  -

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