(P27-23-26) Ultra-Processed Food Intake Linked to Altered Cognitive, Metabolic and Multi-omics Signatures in Older Adults

Objectives: Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake is linked to poor diet quality and metabolic risk, but its relationships with cognition and multi-omics profiles in older adults remain unclear. Herein, we examined associations between UPF intake, diet quality, cognitive health, and gut microbiome and metabolomic signatures. We hypothesized that higher UPF intake would be associated with lower diet quality, gut dysbiosis, and worse metabolic and cognitive outcomes.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 64 older adults (49F/15M; age 70.2 ± 5.6 yrs; BMI 32.5 ± 10.0 kg/m²). Diet was assessed using ASA24 recalls and foods classified using the NOVA system. Participants were stratified into quartiles of %kcals from UPFs ( < 31%, 32–46%, 47–61%, >62%). Anthropometrics, lipids, and HbA1c were measured. Cognition was assessed using the NIH Toolbox Battery. Fecal samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing and plasma samples were analyzed using untargeted NMR metabolomics. Predicted microbial pathways were inferred using PICRUSt2. Associations between UPF intake and biological measures were evaluated using ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, FDR-corrected Spearman correlations, and regression models.

Results: Higher UPF intake was associated with lower HEI scores and lower intake of fiber, protein, vegetables, micronutrients, carotenoids, choline, and omega-3s, with higher added sugar intake (all p< 0.05). Body-composition and most cognitive outcomes did not differ across quartiles, although UPF intake was associated with slower processing speed (p < 0.05). UPF intake predicted higher fasting triglycerides independent of age, sex, BMI, and energy intake (p=0.04). Alpha- and beta-diversity did not differ across quartiles. Higher UPF intake was associated with lower Lachnospiraceae and Fusicatenibacter and higher Clostridia, Parabacteroides, and Alistipes (p < 0.05). Functional pathway analysis indicated enrichment of propanoate and ketone body metabolism. Metabolomics revealed positive associations with plasma ethanol, 3-hydroxyisovalerate, and lactate.

Conclusions: Higher UPF intake is associated with poorer diet quality, higher triglycerides, slower processing speed, and distinct microbial and metabolomic signatures, suggesting dietary processing captures biological aspects of diet quality in aging.

Funding Sources: Florida Department of Health