BMJ Open March 2016 PMID 26962035

Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study.

Eurídice Martínez Steele, Larissa Galastri Baraldi, Maria Laura da Costa Louzada, Jean-Claude Moubarac, Dariush Mozaffarian, Carlos Augusto Monteiro

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Mentions

447
Peak: 2 in Nov 2019
across 7 sources since Nov 2019

Extended reach

92,243
potential audience

Total likes

65

Video views

4,037

Mentions per month

Nov 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News342 articles
  • Facebook56 posts
  • Blogs35 articles
  • X / Twitter9 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions highlight the prevalence of ultra-processed foods making up over 57% of the US diet, with some posts calling for reductions and sharing related studies. The tone varies from informational to motivational, with references to statistical data and health implications, indicating both recognition of the research's significance and active engagement with its messages.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study's findings that ultra-processed foods significantly contribute to added sugar intake and the health risks involved.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity, often referencing specific statistics and previous research, indicating strong engagement with the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants delve into details about food processing, health implications, and policy implications, reflecting a moderate level of thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Discussions emphasize the importance of addressing ultra-processed food consumption for public health, suggesting the content influences attitudes toward dietary choices.

Abstract in brief

  • Ultraprocessed foods make up about 57.9% of energy intake in the US diet and contribute nearly 89.7% of the energy from added sugars, with their added sugar content being significantly higher than in processed or minimally processed foods.
  • The study found a direct, linear relationship between the proportion of ultraprocessed foods consumed and added sugar intake; as ultraprocessed food consumption increases, so does the intake of added sugars, leading to many Americans exceeding recommended sugar limits.
  • Overall, the findings highlight that ultraprocessed foods are a major source of added sugars in the US diet, contributing to overconsumption and potential health risks associated with high sugar intake.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Stephan J. Guyenet
@sguyenet · X

Let's look at this from another angle. In 2010, 58 percent of calories in the US diet were from ultra-processed foods, plus another 3% from added sugars and fats. https://t.co/KuoqQxyVma

Feb 4, 2021 · 15 likes · 1 share · 49,000 followers View post →
Magnolia Pharmacy
@magnoliarx · X

Ultra-processed foods are now 60% of the American diet. In light of national nutrition month, we are going to be sharing how to improve your health and pantry this year. Stay tuned! https://t.co/oUwsDDqrBL

Mar 2, 2021 · 2 likes · 1,225 followers View post →
BMJ_Open
@BMJ_Open · X

During #SugarAwarenessWeek we highlight important research previously published in BMJ Open, including: Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study https://t.co/lA1yichdrG

Nov 14, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 21,450 followers View post →
Alan Watson
@Alan_Watson_ · X

@Plant_proof @mitch_phillips And an earlier, 2015, study showing slightly higher levels in the US (57.9%) Doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009892 https://t.co/jWGAK7NDxa

Jun 22, 2021 · 1 like · 1,523 followers View post →
raj_psyc
@raj_psyc · X

RT @BMJ_Open: During #SugarAwarenessWeek we highlight important research previously published in BMJ Open, including: Ultra-processed foods…

Nov 14, 2019 · 1 share · 12,583 followers View post →
Bhopender Thakur
@TheBhupiThakur · X

RT @whsource: Let's look at this from another angle. In 2010, 58 percent of calories in the US diet were from ultra-processed foods, plus…

May 12, 2021 · 1 share · 1,363 followers View post →

All mentions

Vyso
@Vysoforlife · X

@UlTaraMAGA @malhdavis @SecKennedy Part 1 - Evidence https://t.co/NmUgbSCCoa (studies linked) https://t.co/myrzWwgZbG https://t.co/SGDKOoqTFm https://t.co/F0zbu6RfZk https://t.co/yqRxeoT05O https://t.co/RPGqrwsOIP

Aug 28, 2025 · 21 followers View post →
Ontja Huscarlnäherin
@ontja.bsky.social · Bluesky

Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study "Decreasing the consumption of ultra-processed foods could be an effective way of reducing the excessive intake of added sugars in the USA." pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Nov 21, 2024 View post →
Shashi Agarwal, MD
@usacardiologist · X

Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs) & Health (1 of 12) UPFs are affordable, highly palatable and have a long shelf life. They are often sold ready to eat. In the US, they contribute to more than half of total calories consumed. (BMJ Open. 2016. doi: 10.1136 bmjopen-2015-009892).

May 26, 2024 · 23 followers View post →
Amier Haidar, MD, MPH
@AmierHaidar · X

Ultra-processed foods amount to 60% of energy intake in the U.S. https://t.co/GwMfUFOK5y

Apr 22, 2023 · 1,011 followers View post →
Alan Watson
@Alan_Watson_ · X

@Plant_proof @mitch_phillips And an earlier, 2015, study showing slightly higher levels in the US (57.9%) Doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009892 https://t.co/jWGAK7NDxa

Jun 22, 2021 · 1 like · 1,523 followers View post →
Bhopender Thakur
@TheBhupiThakur · X

RT @whsource: Let's look at this from another angle. In 2010, 58 percent of calories in the US diet were from ultra-processed foods, plus…

May 12, 2021 · 1 share · 1,363 followers View post →
Magnolia Pharmacy
@magnoliarx · X

Ultra-processed foods are now 60% of the American diet. In light of national nutrition month, we are going to be sharing how to improve your health and pantry this year. Stay tuned! https://t.co/oUwsDDqrBL

Mar 2, 2021 · 2 likes · 1,225 followers View post →
Stephan J. Guyenet
@sguyenet · X

Let's look at this from another angle. In 2010, 58 percent of calories in the US diet were from ultra-processed foods, plus another 3% from added sugars and fats. https://t.co/KuoqQxyVma

Feb 4, 2021 · 15 likes · 1 share · 49,000 followers View post →
raj_psyc
@raj_psyc · X

RT @BMJ_Open: During #SugarAwarenessWeek we highlight important research previously published in BMJ Open, including: Ultra-processed foods…

Nov 14, 2019 · 1 share · 12,583 followers View post →
BMJ_Open
@BMJ_Open · X

During #SugarAwarenessWeek we highlight important research previously published in BMJ Open, including: Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study https://t.co/lA1yichdrG

Nov 14, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 21,450 followers View post →