Grant: T. Gr.: Health Effects of Ultra-Proc. Foods-Health Eff. on Older Persons - LOI

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as packaged snacks, sugary cereals, and ready-to-eat meals, make up nearly half of the Canadian diet. While these foods are linked to health issues, we don't fully understand exactly how industrial processing itself harms the aging body. Current dietary guidelines focus mostly on nutrients to limit such as salt, sugar, and fat. Yet, these recommendations overlook the complex additives and chemical structures created during food manufacturing that may accelerate the loss of muscle and the decline in brain health. The UPF-AGE Project aims to isolate the effect of food processing on health. Our study involves two key steps: First, we will conduct a crossover clinical trial where participants follow two different diets for 14 days: one high in UPFs and one made of whole foods. All meals will be prepared in our kitchen and provided to participants, ensuring that they eat only the foods from the intervention while continuing their usual daily activities. By measuring exactly how specific food additives, like sweeteners and emulsifiers, influence gut bacteria and enter the blood as circulating molecules, we can use state-of-the-art imaging to see how these molecules impact muscle and brain metabolism. Second, we will validate these "biological fingerprints" in a 3-year study of more than 1,750 older adults from the Quebec NuAge cohort. This step will help us determine how short-term changes translate into real-life, everyday functions, such as strength and walking, that are needed for independent living. Our study will be the first to rigorously assess how the industrial nature of our food affects the way we age. Our findings will provide the evidence needed to modernize Canada's Food Guide, shifting toward recommendations that specifically address the risks of food processing. Ultimately, this research provides the essential foundation to reshape the food environment and promote healthy aging, a top public health priority for Canada.