The Claim
In healthy young adults, a 54-hour ad libitum diet composed of 84% ultra-processed foods with 30% protein and 29% carbohydrates reduces daily energy intake by 196 kcal and increases 24-hour energy expenditure by 128 kcal compared to a diet with 13% protein and 46% carbohydrates, resulting in a less-positive energy balance (18% vs. 32%) despite identical palatability and energy density.
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.
In healthy young adults, eating a diet of mostly ultra-processed foods with higher protein and lower carbohydrates for 54 hours reduces daily calorie intake by 196 kcal and increases total daily energy expenditure by 128 kcal compared to a diet with lower protein and higher carbohydrates, leading to a smaller net energy surplus despite both diets having the same taste and calorie density.
See the scientific wording
In healthy young adults, a 54-hour ad libitum diet composed of 84% ultra-processed foods with 30% protein and 29% carbohydrates reduces daily energy intake by 196 kcal and increases 24-hour energy expenditure by 128 kcal compared to a diet with 13% protein and 46% carbohydrates, resulting in a less-positive energy balance (18% vs. 32%) despite identical palatability and energy density.
Eating more protein in ultra-processed foods triggers the gut to release hormones that signal fullness, slows down eating, and causes the liver to burn more energy processing the protein. This makes people eat less, burn more calories, and store less fat.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Short-term effects of high-protein, lower-carbohydrate ultra-processed foods on human energy balance
When people ate ultra-processed meals with more protein and fewer carbs for two days, they naturally ate about 200 fewer calories and burned about 130 more calories than when eating ultra-processed meals with normal protein and carbs — so their bodies stored less extra energy.
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.