Ultra-processed foods intake in relation to metabolic health status, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and adropin levels in adults.

Background: In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion over the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) intake on overall health of subjects. However, the association between UPFs intake and metabolic unhealthy (MU) status is still in a state of ambiguity. The current study assessed the relationship between UPFs intake and MU status with regard to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and adropin levels.

Methods: A sample of Iranian adults (aged 20-65 years) was selected to participate in this cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster random-sampling method. UPFs intake was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and NOVA classification. Concentrations of metabolic parameters, BDNF and adropin were determined through fasting blood samples. MU status was assessed according to the criteria proposed by Wildman.

Results: The overall prevalence of MU phenotype among study participants (n = 527) was 42.5%. Higher intake of UPFs was associated with elevated odds of MU status in multivariable-adjusted model (OR_{T3 vs. T1}=1.88; 95%CI: 1.02-3.45). Moreover, a positive association was observed between UPFs intake and hypertriglyceridemia after controlling all confounders (OR_{T3 vs. T1}=2.07; 95%CI: 1.15-3.73). However, each tertile increase in UPFs intake was not significantly associated with serum BDNF ([Formula: see text]=0.15; 95%CI: -0.05, 0.34; P = 0.14) and adropin ([Formula: see text]=-1.37; 95%CI: -6.16, 3.42; P = 0.58) levels in multivariable-adjusted linear regression models.

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that higher consumption of UPFs was related to increased likelihood of MU status among a sample of Iranian adults. Further longitudinal studies are needed to verify the directionality and generalizability of the results to all adult populations.