Kids who eat a lot of processed foods may have higher levels of a chemical that tries to calm down inflammation, as if their body is working extra hard to balance things out.

Evidence from Studies

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Contradicting (1)

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Ultra‐Processed Foods and Markers of Systemic Inflammation in Children

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2025 Sep

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Ultra‐Processed Foods and Markers of Systemic Inflammation in Children

Score: 41

DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70795

Similar Assertions

Older kids (9–10 years old) who eat more packaged and processed foods may have higher levels of a body chemical linked to inflammation, but younger kids don’t show the same pattern.

89%

Kids who eat a lot of packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and processed meats may have slightly higher levels of a body chemical that signals inflammation, especially if they eat more of these foods.

86%

Eating more processed foods doesn’t seem to change most of the body’s inflammation signals in kids, except maybe for a couple of them.

83%