Around age 70, less ultra-processed food plus regular activity tracked a lower type 2 diabetes risk

What the research found

Study (observational). Wenxin Xu and colleagues at City University of Hong Kong analysed 56,964 UK Biobank adults (mean age 69.5 years; 42.3% men) for an EASD presentation (EurekAlert 26 September 2026). Ultra-processed food was scored with the Nova system. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity came from a week of wrist trackers. Over 7.8 years, 926 people developed type 2 diabetes. Each extra 10% of the diet by weight from ultra-processed food tracked a 7% higher risk. Meeting the World Health Organization mark of at least 150 minutes a week of that activity tracked a 39% lower risk than doing less. In the high genetic-risk group, a low ultra-processed share (about 11% or less by weight) tracked a 35% lower risk, and meeting the activity mark tracked a 33% lower risk. Together, the lower ultra-processed pattern plus that activity tracked a 49% lower risk in the high genetic-risk group, 70% in the intermediate group, and 59% in the low group. Among people whose diet was about 33% or more ultra-processed by weight, meeting the activity mark still tracked a 31%, 57%, and 58% lower risk across high, intermediate, and low genetic risk. This is an association, not proof that a kitchen change or a walking habit prevents diabetes. Educational notes.

Evidence level: Human study. A study in people, but an association isn't proof of cause.

Read the original at City University of Hong Kong / EurekAlert