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Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Fat Buildup Inside Muscles
basic-science healthcare medication-safety
A study published in the journal Radiology in April 2026 found that people who ate more ultraprocessed foods had more fat deposited inside their thigh muscle tissue — a condition sometimes called myosteatosis, which can reduce muscle quality and function. The study used MRI scans to measure thigh-muscle fat in 615 individuals who were at risk for knee osteoarthritis, and participants reported their typical diets through questionnaires. For adults over 50, who already face age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia), this finding adds another reason to limit ultraprocessed foods: the concern is not just calories or heart disease risk, but the structural quality of the muscles that support mobility and balance.
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A study published in the journal Radiology in April 2026 found that people who ate more ultraprocessed foods had more fat deposited inside their thigh muscle tissue — a condition sometimes called myosteatosis, which can reduce muscle quality and function. The study used MRI scans to measure thigh-muscle fat in 615 individuals who were at risk for knee osteoarthritis, and participants reported their typical diets through questionnaires. For adults over 50, who already face age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia), this finding adds another reason to limit ultraprocessed foods: the concern is not just calories or heart disease risk, but the structural quality of the muscles that support mobility and balance.
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