Key result
Minimally processed diet increases weight loss by ~1% vs ultraprocessed food.
Why the study?
Does a minimally processed food diet improve weight loss compared to an ultraprocessed food diet in adults with overweight or obesity?
Population
55 adults in England with body mass index ≥25 to <40 kg/m² and habitual ultraprocessed food intake ≥50%…
Comparison
8-week ad libitum minimally processed food diet… vs 8-week ad libitum ultraprocessed food diet…
Design
RCT, 2 × 2 crossover randomized controlled feeding trial; 28 people randomized…
Follow-up
8 weeks per diet phase
Authors
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A minimally processed diet results in significantly greater weight loss than an ultraprocessed diet when both follow standard healthy dietary guidelines, highlighting the importance of food processing in dietary recommendations.
RCT (n=55)
Single-blind
2x2 crossover
Does a minimally processed food diet improve weight loss compared to an ultraprocessed food diet in adults with overweight or obesity?
Mean Difference: -1.01 (95% CI -1.87–-0.14)
Absolute Event Rate: -2.06% vs -1.05%
p-value: p=0.024
A minimally processed diet results in significantly greater weight loss than an ultraprocessed diet when both follow standard healthy dietary guidelines, highlighting the importance of food processing in dietary recommendations.
Dicken et al. (2025) conducted an RCT in Overweight or obesity (n=55). Minimally processed food (MPF) diet vs. Ultraprocessed food (UPF) diet was evaluated on within-participant difference in percent weight change (%WC) between diets, from baseline to week 8 (MD -1.01, 95% CI -1.87 to -0.14, p=0.024). A minimally processed food diet resulted in significantly greater weight loss than an ultraprocessed food diet (difference in percent weight change -1.01%; 95% CI -1.87 to -0.14; P=0.024).
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