A diet rich in ultra-processed foods leads to more fat being stored in the thigh muscles, increasing the risk of knee osteoarthritis through a domino effect.
- Consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to an accumulation of fat in the thigh muscles.
- Excess fat in the thigh muscles is associated with an increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.
- Targeting modifiable factors – like diet – could help prevent osteoarthritis.
Obesity, cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular diseases… excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods increases the risks of many pathologies.
Work by American researchers, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), shows that it also increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis. The reason? This type of diet leads to having higher amounts of fat stored inside the thigh muscles.
Ultra-processed food: fat in the thigh muscles
To evaluate the link between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and intramuscular fat, scientists reviewed the records of 666 people who participated in a study on osteoarthritis. The participants were on average 60 years old and had a BMI of 27. After having undergone MRI scans assessing their muscle mass and their joints, they answered questionnaires on their eating habits.
Data analysis shows that the more ultra-processed foods a person consumes, the more intramuscular fat they have in their thigh muscles. And this, regardless of your energy expenditure during the day.
The team also found that higher amounts of intramuscular fat in the thighs may also increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis.
“These results are true regardless of dietary energy content, BMI, sociodemographic factors and physical activity levels”adds Dr Zehra Akkaya, the author of the study, in a press release.
Thigh muscle decline linked to osteoarthritis
“Research from our group and others has already shown that quantitative and functional decline of the thigh muscles is potentially associated with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis.”specifies Dr. Akkaya. “On MRI images, this decline can be seen as fatty degeneration of muscle, where streaks of fat replace muscle fibers.”
For the researcher, her work provides important information on the influences of diet on muscle health. The study also made it possible to more precisely target the risk factors for knee osteoarthritis. She adds that targeting modifiable factors, such as diet and obesity, is one way to prevent joint disease.
