Doctor Gains 7kg in a Month Eating Mostly Ultra-Processed Foods

A 42-year-old doctor and TV presenter, Chris van Tulleken, conducted an unusual experiment last year. He ate a diet of 80% ultra-processed foods for four weeks to observe the effects on his body. Before the experiment, van Tulleken weighed nearly 82 kilograms. Over the month-long trial, his weight increased by 7 kilograms, reaching 87.7 kilograms by the end.

The fast-food diet led to several health issues. He developed heartburn, constipation, and hemorrhoids. Brain scans also revealed noticeable changes linked to his eating habits.

Even after the experiment ended in October, the cravings for unhealthy food persisted. His family, exposed to the junk food stored at home, began consuming it as well. The experiment had clear physical and psychological effects on van Tulleken. His weight gain and ongoing cravings demonstrated the impact of a diet high in ultra-processed foods. The findings highlight how such eating habits can alter both body and mind.