The relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and advanced glycation end products in university students:...

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contribute substantially to total dietary energy intake and have been linked to various non-communicable diseases (NCDs). During industrial processing, UPFs are exposed to high heat, producing advanced glycation end products (AGEs). However, it remains unclear whether the consumption of AGE-rich UPFs influences AGE accumulation in skin collagen. This study aimed to examine the potential association between the frequency of UPF consumption and skin AGE levels among university students.

This cross-sectional study included university students at a foundation university in Istanbul between 2022 and 2023. Data including sociodemographic characteristics, health information, anthropometric measurements, skin AGE levels, 24-hour recall, and UPF frequency were gathered via face-to-face interviews.

The total sample included 535 participants (63.6% women) with a mean age of 20.9 ± 3.7 years. The percentage of UPF consumption was 35.2 ± 28.6%, with no significant difference between genders. The main contributors to the UPF intake of the students are chocolate (17%), carbonated beverages (11.8%), and packaged biscuits (9.3%), which have a high daily consumption rate. The average skin AGE levels for the overall students was 1.48 AU, significantly higher in women (1.49 AU) than men (1.45) (p = 0.041). However, the association between UPF consumption percentage and AGE levels were not statistically significant (p = 0.168).

The consumption of UPF is a prevalent phenomenon among university students. Although this highlights the importance of elucidating the relationship between UPF consumption and skin AGE accumulation to prevent potential risks, our findings did not demonstrate a significant association between the two variables. Nonetheless, the use of non-invasive skin AGE measurement (SAF) remains a valuable tool for assessing long-term AGE-related health risks. Further comprehensive studies are required to gain a deeper understanding of this subject.