Metabolomics clues to how ultra-processed foods affect risk of type 2 diabetes
Official title: Metabolomics-Driven Insights into Ultra-Processed Foods: Identifying High-Risk UPF Subtypes for T2D Prevention
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11447975 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led study will look at how eating different ultra-processed foods may change diabetes risk by using a controlled feeding trial and big population data, focusing on adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $894,984 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK145733-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447975 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults 21+ without diabetes who are willing to follow controlled diets and participate in regular visits.
✕Less likely to help
Results may be less directly helpful for individuals who cannot participate in controlled feeding studies or need different dietary approaches.
What this research studies
This project will test how specific subtypes of ultra-processed foods influence type 2 diabetes risk. In a crossover feeding trial, 40 healthy adults will consume four isocaloric diets (one control plus three UPF subtype diets) with weekly clinic visits and biospecimen collection. Metabolomic profiling of fasting plasma will be used to identify biomarkers linked to each UPF subtype and their additives or processing methods. The findings will be checked against large epidemiological data to see if the biomarkers reflect real-world dietary patterns and diabetes risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help people choose UPF alternatives that lower diabetes risk and guide personalized dietary recommendations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests diet and biomarkers can reflect disease risk, but this study aims to directly map UPF subtypes to specific metabolic signals and diabetes risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tobias, Deirdre Kay — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tobias, Deirdre Kay
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.