By Lew Kizer — 2026-10-17 — Health & Nutrition
The short answer
A Virginia Tech study published October 5, 2026 in Nature Metabolism gave just under 60 healthy adults either a highly processed or a minimally processed meal matched within 1% for calories, carbohydrates, fat, protein, water and salt. The processed meal produced a larger insulin response and kept blood sugar elevated longer, and brain reward regions responded differently to images of the two foods. It was a short-term study of single meals.
Key facts
- Published Oct. 5, 2026 in Nature Metabolism; led by Alex DiFeliceantonio's lab at Virginia Tech.
- Just under 60 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 took part.
- Meals were matched within 1% on calories, carbs, fat, protein, water and salt.
- The processed meal led to a higher insulin response and longer-elevated blood sugar.
- fMRI showed different reward-region responses; willingness to pay tracked those differences.
- Researchers caution it is unknown whether these short-term changes cause long-term harm.
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Oct. 17, 2026 — A short drive up Interstate 81, researchers at Virginia Tech asked a precise question: if two meals have the same calories and nutrients, does it matter how processed they are?
Their answer, published October 5 in Nature Metabolism, is that the body and brain may still tell the difference.
How the study worked
Just under 60 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 fasted overnight, then ate either a highly processed meal or a minimally processed one. The two meals were matched within 1% on calories, carbohydrates, fat, protein, water and salt. Researchers measured blood sugar and insulin afterward and, in separate sessions, used fMRI scans to watch how participants' brains responded to pictures of the foods.
What changed
The highly processed meal produced a much higher insulin response and kept blood sugar elevated longer. In the scanner, regions tied to motivation and reward responded differently to processed versus minimally processed foods, and how much participants said they would pay for each food lined up with those signals.
The brain is “encoding the value of these foods differently.” — Alex DiFeliceantonio, Virginia Tech, to Newsweek
What it does not show
Each participant ate one meal. The study cannot say whether these immediate responses drive the long-term health problems associated with ultra-processed diets, a limit DiFeliceantonio acknowledged. Outside experts called for follow-up studies. A second study published this month, from the National Cancer Institute, adds more nuance; read our coverage of the NIH-AARP colorectal cancer findings.
Putting it into practice
Read the ingredient list, not just the macros. Our new explainer Ultra-processed food, explained covers how researchers define it and how to cut back without making life harder.
See inside our kitchen or browse this week's meals.
Commentary, not medical advice
The SmashMeals perspective
This study did not test our meals, and we will not pretend it did. What it does support is the idea we cook by: a meal is more than its macro numbers. Our meals start from whole ingredients cooked in our own kitchen, and our posted nutrition tells you the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Virginia Tech ultra-processed food study find?
When healthy adults ate a highly processed meal, their insulin response was higher and blood sugar stayed up longer than after a minimally processed meal with nearly identical calories and macronutrients. Brain reward regions also responded differently.
Does this prove ultra-processed food causes disease?
No. It tested single meals in healthy young adults. The lead researcher said it is not known whether these short-term responses lead to the poor health outcomes linked to ultra-processed diets.
How can I eat fewer ultra-processed foods?
Choose meals built from recognizable ingredients, read ingredient lists, and plan ahead so convenience food is not your only option on busy days.
Sources and credits
Follow the original sources for context and verification. A reference is not an endorsement of SmashMeals.
- Ultraprocessed foods evoke distinct metabolic and neural responses (opens in a new tab)
Nature Metabolism
Why it matters: The peer-reviewed study.
- Scientists served ultra-processed and whole meals—then compared the effects (opens in a new tab)
Newsweek
Why it matters: Interviews with the lead researcher and outside experts.