Ultraprocessed foods are turning human thighs into well-marbled steaks

 "Diets high in ultraprocessed foods create streaks of  in human muscles that may lead to osteoporossis, a new study found" 

CNN Health | By: Sandee LaMotte - April 14, 2026

Introduction

The image looks like a slice of highly marbled flesh, reminiscent of a high-end steak with abundant fine-grained streaks of fat. But that’s not dinner. It’s an MRI scan of the thigh of a 62-year-old woman who obtained 87% of her annual calories from ultraprocessed food.

🔬The biological effects of ultra-processed foods extend beyond nutrient composition, reflecting how botanical systems formulation design and compound interactions influence physiological outcomes → 

“This participant’s diet was mainly comprised of cold cereals, chocolate candy or candy bars, regular soft drinks or bottled sugary drinks,” said Dr. Zehra Akkaya, a researcher and consultant in the Clinical and Translational Musculoskeletal Imaging Research group at the University of California, San Francisco.

Hidden streaks of fat hiding between and within muscle fibers can signal serious health problems.

👉 Continue Reading: Ultraprocessed foods are turning human thighs into well-marbled steaks → 

Research Context

This article contributes to Bruce A. Cosgrove's broader research into Applied Botanical Chemistry and the scientific principles underlying Botanical Systems Formulations™ →

The research examines how plant-derived compounds, phytochemical interactions, bioavailability, dose architecture, and delivery design can inform structured approaches to botanical formulation and health-focused applications.

🧬 Explore Botanical Systems™ Science →

Botanical Systems™ Science provides the scientific framework for examining phytochemical interactions, bioavailability, and systems-level plant chemistry.

🌿 Download the Free Botanical Systems Formulation Protocol™ →