A new study presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) annual meeting reveals a concerning link between ultra-processed food consumption and increased fat storage in thigh muscles, which could elevate the risk of knee osteoarthritis. Researchers found that this association exists regardless of caloric intake or physical activity levels, highlighting the significant role diet quality plays in muscle health.
The research, led by Dr. Zehra Akkaya of the University of California, San Francisco, used MRI imaging to analyze muscle quality and dietary habits in 666 participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Participants, aged 60 on average and primarily overweight, reported that 40% of their yearly food consumption was ultra-processed. Foods in this category include breakfast cereals, packaged snacks, frozen pizzas, ready-to-eat meals, and sugary beverages—products typically loaded with synthetic additives and highly appealing due to their combination of sugar, fat, salt, and carbohydrates.
The findings revealed that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods correlated with increased intramuscular fat in the thigh, a known precursor to musculoskeletal decline. “Fatty degeneration of muscle, visible on MRI scans, is a key indicator of quantitative and functional decline in thigh muscles, which is associated with knee osteoarthritis,” explained Dr. Akkaya.
Osteoarthritis is a growing global health concern, significantly linked to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Dr. Akkaya emphasized the potential for lifestyle modifications to address the condition. “Preventing obesity through a balanced diet and adequate exercise is a cornerstone of managing knee osteoarthritis,” she noted, adding that understanding the impact of diet quality on muscle composition could open new avenues for treatment and prevention.
The study’s insights also hold implications beyond osteoarthritis, offering a fresh perspective on how diet influences overall musculoskeletal health. “This is the first imaging study exploring the relationship between MRI-based skeletal muscle quality and diet quality,” Dr. Akkaya said. “It underscores the importance of considering dietary influences on muscle health in clinical practice.”
As ultra-processed foods become increasingly common in modern diets, the study raises awareness about their long-term impact on health. With knee osteoarthritis being a major contributor to non-cancer-related healthcare costs globally, these findings reinforce the importance of prioritizing minimally processed, nutrient-dense diets to maintain muscle health and prevent disease.
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