The Claim
Higher intake of ultra-processed foods in Costa Rican adolescents is associated with lower dietary fiber and beneficial micronutrient intake and higher intake of added sugars and trans fats, resulting in a nutrient profile consistent with an obesogenic dietary pattern.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Costa Rican adolescents who eat more ultra-processed foods have diets lower in fiber and essential nutrients and higher in added sugars and trans fats, which align with dietary patterns linked to obesity.
See the scientific wording
Higher ultra-processed food intake in Costa Rican adolescents is associated with lower dietary fiber and beneficial micronutrient intake and higher intake of added sugars and trans fats, indicating a nutrient profile consistent with an obesogenic dietary pattern.
When ultra-processed foods replace whole foods in the diet, the intake of fiber and essential nutrients drops because these foods lack natural nutrients. At the same time, added sugars and trans fats increase because they are deliberately added during processing. This shift creates a diet that promotes fat storage and metabolic imbalance.
What the research says
1 studyTeens in Costa Rica who ate more ultra-processed snacks got less fiber and good nutrients and more sugar and bad fats — exactly what the claim says. The more UPF they ate, the worse their overall diet became.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.