Core Insights - A new study published in the journal Nature Medicine indicates that consuming ultra-processed foods may hinder weight loss efforts, even when following official UK dietary guidelines [1][2] - The study involved 55 UK adults who followed an 8-week diet based on either low-processed or ultra-processed foods, with a 4-week normal diet in between [1] Group 1: Study Findings - Participants lost an average of 1.84 kg while consuming low-processed foods, compared to an average loss of only 0.88 kg with ultra-processed foods, indicating that weight loss was nearly twice as effective with low-processed foods [1] - During the low-processed food phase, participants experienced reductions in fat mass, body fat percentage, and visceral fat levels, while no such changes were observed during the ultra-processed food phase [1] Group 2: Dietary Implications - The study suggests that ultra-processed foods may lead to quicker eating, delaying feelings of fullness and resulting in increased energy intake [1] - In the UK, over half of the energy intake in the average diet comes from ultra-processed foods, highlighting the need to consider food processing levels in dietary guidelines [2]