Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41739765›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

The associations of dietary exposure to selected food additives with dietary patterns and overweight.

Irit Atary-Sheetryt, Danit Rivkah Shahar, Sivan Ben-Avraham, Kerem Avital, Sigal Tepper

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Irit Atary-SheetrytThe Israeli Ministry of Health, National Food Services, Ashkelon, Israel.
Danit Rivkah ShaharThe Israeli Ministry of Health, National Food Services, Ashkelon, Israel.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1000-1819
Sivan Ben-AvrahamThe Israeli Ministry of Health, National Food Services, Ashkelon, Israel.
Kerem AvitalThe Israeli Ministry of Health, National Food Services, Ashkelon, Israel.
Sigal TepperNutritional Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Tel-Hai College, Qiryat Shemona, Israel.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3885-117X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe global rise in obesity correlates with increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, which often contain various food additives. The impact of these additives on obesity remains underexplored.

objectivesThis study aimed to assess the association between the intake of food additives and overweight and obesity, and their correlation with diet quality.

methodsData were derived from the Tel-Hai cohort, which includes 924 adults aged 19-65 years from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Participants provided demographic information, quality of life, and physical activity data through a questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed using a 116-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on self-reported height and weight, categorizing participants into normal weight (BMI ≤ 25) and excess weight (BMI > 25) groups. The study quantified participants' exposure to food additives from the FFQ, focusing on consumption of ultra-processed foods containing additives such as preservatives, colorants, and artificial sweeteners. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet [MD] was assessed using a 9-point score, divided into 3 levels of adherence.

resultsAnalysis of data from 924 respondents revealed that 622 individuals (67.3% of the total) were at normal weight, while 302 (32.7%) were overweight or obese. Overweight/obese individuals consumed more preservatives (sorbates and nitrites), stabilizers (carrageenan and sulfates), and artificial sweeteners (acesulfame K, cyclamate, and aspartame) (p < 0.05). Lower adherence to the MD corresponded with significantly higher consumption of these additives. Additionally, demographic variables such as age and ethnicity correlated with higher additive intake and obesity rates.

conclusionAlthough food additive consumption did not exceed safety limits, its association with obesity highlights a potential public health concern. The findings advocate for dietary guidelines that consider the broader implications of ultra-processed products beyond caloric and nutrient content.

Identifiers

PMID41739765
PMCPMC12935198

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.