An unpublished study presented at Nutrition 2026 looked at diet quality and food processing levels. The study found that overall diet quality, not processing, is important for health. Healthy plant-based diets were strongly protective against type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, regardless of whether the constituents of the diet were processed or not.
Diet Quality Trumps Food Processing Level, Study Suggests
UKPulse Health DeskA new study presented at Nutrition 2026 found that diet quality is more important than food processing level for health outcomes.
- The study found that overall diet quality, not processing, is important for health.
- Healthy plant-based diets are strongly protective against type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- The study suggests that some processing is beneficial to health, while other processing is not directly harmful.
Why this matters: This study may help people feel less anxious about eating processed foods that are affordable, healthy, and part of everyday life.
What this means for you: You may feel less anxious about eating processed foods that are affordable, healthy, and part of everyday life.