Eating ultraprocessed foods may damage muscle health.
Popular processed foods linked to muscle damage
Researchers say diets high in foods such as cookies, fries and other heavily processed products are linked to increased fat stored in thigh muscles - a change associated with a greater risk of knee osteoarthritis.
The study, presented by the Radiological Society of North America, found the link remained regardless of calorie intake, exercise levels or genetic background, suggesting diet quality itself may play a key role in musculoskeletal health.
Higher levels of fat within the thigh muscles can weaken muscle quality and place additional strain on joints, increasing the likelihood of knee osteoarthritis, a common degenerative condition that can cause pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
Dr. Zehra Akkaya told The Telegraph: “Osteoarthritis is an increasingly prevalent and costly global health issue. It constitutes one of the largest non-cancer-related health care costs in the United States and around the world. It is highly linked to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choice.”
Researchers used MRI scans and data from the decade-long Osteoarthritis Initiative to examine the thighs of more than 600 adults whose diets were made up of around 41 percent ultraprocessed foods.
Participants also completed more than 100 questions about their food and drink intake, including how often they consumed processed products ranging from “every day” to “never”.
Of those studied, nearly 400 were classed as overweight and 149 were living with obesity, both known risk factors for knee osteoarthritis.
The scans showed people with poorer diets had more fat stored inside their muscles. While the researchers said more studies are needed to prove direct causation, they noted strong existing evidence linking ultraprocessed foods to weight gain and obesity.
According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, carrying just 10 extra pounds can add between 30 and 60 pounds of pressure on the knee with each step.
Dr. Zehra Akkaya added: “Addressing obesity is a primary objective and frontline treatment for knee osteoarthritis, yet the findings from this research emphasize that dietary quality warrants greater attention, and weight loss regimens should take into account diet quality beyond caloric restriction and exercise.”