Gram Research analysis of a 2026 U.S. survey of 1,664 adults found that ultra-processed and hyperpalatable foods were rated as substantially more addictive than minimally processed foods. The difference was especially pronounced among people with eating disorder symptoms or food addiction symptoms. Body weight alone did not change these ratings.
Gram Research analysis of a 2026 study found that people often rate ultra-processed and hyperpalatable foods as much more addictive than minimally processed foods. Researchers surveyed 1,664 U.S. adults who rated 99 foods on how problematic each one feels to them. The biggest differences appeared among people with eating disorder symptoms or signs of food addiction, based on their answers to standard questionnaires. Body weight, measured by body mass index (BMI), did not change how addictive people rated these foods. The study cannot prove that these foods cause addiction, since it relied on people’s perceptions at a single point in time. Still, the results support the idea that the way food is processed and how tasty it is may shape how hard it is to stop eating it.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 1,664 U.S. adults found that ultra-processed and hyperpalatable foods were rated as substantially more addictive than minimally processed foods, especially among people with eating disorder or food addiction symptoms.
In a 2026 survey of 1,664 U.S. adults, participants rated 99 randomly chosen foods on a 100-point scale of how problematic each food felt, and body mass index did not change how addictive those foods were perceived.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Researchers wanted to know whether certain types of food, especially heavily processed and very tasty ones, are perceived as more addictive, and whether this depends on a person’s eating habits or body weight.
- Who participated: The study included 1,664 adults living in the United States who were at least 18 years old. Participants were recruited through an online research survey platform, and they reported their age, sex, height, weight, and eating habits.
- Key finding: Ultra-processed and hyperpalatable foods were rated as substantially more addictive than minimally processed foods. This difference was strongest among people who reported more eating disorder symptoms or more signs of food addiction. Body mass index did not affect these ratings.
- What it means for you: If you find that certain packaged snacks are hard to stop eating, your experience may be shared by many people. The results do not mean every processed food is harmful, but they suggest that thinking about how processed and how tasty a food is may help you understand your cravings.
The Research Details
This was a survey study, meaning researchers asked people questions at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. Participants completed two questionnaires: one that screens for eating disorder symptoms and another that checks for signs of food addiction. They also shared basic facts about themselves, including their height and weight.
Next, each participant rated 99 foods, chosen at random from a list of 297. For each food, they answered the question “How problematic is this food for you?” by sliding a bar from “Not at all” to “Very” on a 100-point scale. The foods were sorted into groups based on how heavily they were processed, using a well-known food classification system called NOVA, and on how hyperpalatable they are, meaning how strongly they are designed to be rewarding to eat.
To analyze the results, researchers used statistical models that account for differences between individual people and between individual foods. This approach allowed them to see how a person’s eating habits and a food’s processing level worked together to shape the addictiveness ratings.
Asking people to rate many different foods gave researchers a broad look at how real people perceive food, instead of relying on a small number of foods picked by the research team. Using a nationally representative sample also helps make the findings more relevant to the broader U.S. population. Statistical models that account for individual people and individual foods help separate the effects of food type from differences between participants.
The study used a large sample, standard questionnaires, and a widely used food classification system, all of which add credibility. However, it is a cross-sectional study, so it shows associations at one point in time rather than cause and effect. The results also rely on self-reported ratings, which reflect how people feel about foods rather than measured biological responses. Readers should view the findings as strong evidence of a pattern in perception, not proof of a physical addiction.
What the Results Show
The main finding was that ultra-processed foods and hyperpalatable foods were rated as more addictive than minimally processed foods. This pattern was statistically significant, meaning it was unlikely to be due to chance. In plain terms, when people looked at a list of foods, the heavily processed, very tasty options were the ones they more often described as hard to resist or problematic.
The ratings also depended on the person. People who reported more eating disorder symptoms, or more signs of food addiction, showed a larger gap between how they rated processed foods and how they rated minimally processed foods. For these individuals, processed and hyperpalatable foods stood out even more as problematic.
Body mass index did not change this relationship. People with higher or lower BMIs rated foods similarly when accounting for their eating behaviors. This suggests that the way people relate to food, rather than their body size alone, is what shapes how addictive a food feels to them.
The researchers also looked at whether the same pattern held across different ways of grouping foods. Using the NOVA processing system and a separate hyperpalatability definition both pointed in the same direction, which strengthens confidence that the findings are not just the result of one way of sorting foods. Results were consistent across these two frameworks, supporting the idea that both how a food is made and how rewarding it is to eat matter for perceived addictiveness.
These findings fit with a growing body of research suggesting that ultra-processed foods, which are often high in refined carbohydrates and fats, may have properties that make them hard to stop eating. Earlier studies have described these foods as hyperpalatable, meaning they are designed to be very rewarding. This study adds a perception-based view by showing that people themselves tend to see these foods as more problematic, especially if they already struggle with eating-related concerns.
Because this study looked at a single point in time, it cannot show whether processed foods cause addictive-feeling eating or whether people who already struggle with eating are drawn to these foods. Ratings were based on what participants said, not on measured brain activity or behavior, so the results describe perception rather than proven addiction. The participants were U.S. adults recruited online, so the findings may not apply equally to other countries or to people who do not use online survey platforms. The abstract also notes some reporting details that are unclear, so readers who want exact statistics should review the full paper.
The Bottom Line
Based on this study, it is reasonable to pay attention to how processed a food is and how strongly it tends to pull you toward overeating. Research shows that people tend to perceive ultra-processed and hyperpalatable foods as more addictive than minimally processed options, so choosing whole or lightly processed foods more often may make eating feel more manageable for many people. Confidence in this recommendation is moderate, because the study shows a perception pattern and not a direct cause-and-effect link.
People who feel they lose control when eating packaged snacks, sweets, or fast food, and those who notice eating disorder or food addiction symptoms, may find these results especially relevant. Health professionals who work with eating concerns may also find the framework useful. People who enjoy processed foods without difficulty may not need to change anything based on this study alone. Anyone with a history of an eating disorder should work with a qualified health professional rather than rely on general findings.
Changes in how you perceive and eat foods typically take several weeks to a few months of consistent effort. Some people notice that cravings feel less intense within a few weeks of eating more whole foods, while others need longer. Because this study did not follow people over time, there is no clear timeline for health outcomes, and results will vary from person to person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ultra-processed foods more addictive than whole foods?
Research shows people rate ultra-processed and hyperpalatable foods as substantially more addictive than minimally processed foods. A 2026 U.S. survey of 1,664 adults found this pattern, with the largest differences among people reporting eating disorder or food addiction symptoms.
Does body weight affect how addictive a food feels?
In a 2026 survey of 1,664 U.S. adults, body mass index did not change how addictive people rated foods. The way people eat and their eating-related symptoms mattered more than their weight when judging how problematic a food felt.
What makes a food hyperpalatable?
Hyperpalatable foods are designed to be especially rewarding to eat, usually through a combination of sugar, fat, and salt that creates strong pleasure. These foods are often heavily processed, and research suggests people may find them harder to stop eating.
How can I eat less ultra-processed food?
Start by swapping one packaged snack or sugary drink each week for a whole or lightly processed option, such as fruit, nuts, or plain yogurt. Keeping a simple food log can help you notice which items feel hardest to control.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Log each meal and snack, and for each food, rate how hard it felt to stop eating on a simple 1 to 10 scale. Also note whether the food was packaged, restaurant-made, or home-cooked. After two to four weeks, compare average ratings across food types to see which foods feel most difficult to control.
- Try swapping one frequently eaten ultra-processed snack each week for a minimally processed alternative, such as fresh fruit with nuts instead of a packaged snack bar. Use the app to note how satisfied and in control you feel afterward, and keep the swaps that feel easiest to maintain.
- Review your logs monthly to spot patterns between food type, eating urges, and mood or stress. Set a reminder to check in every few months on whether processed foods still feel hard to resist. If you notice ongoing loss of control, distress around eating, or signs of an eating disorder, the app should prompt you to speak with a doctor, registered dietitian, or mental health professional.
This article summarizes a cross-sectional survey study and describes how people perceived foods, not proven biological addiction. The findings do not diagnose any condition or replace advice from a doctor, registered dietitian, or mental health professional. If you struggle with loss of control around eating, distress about food, or symptoms of an eating disorder, please seek support from a qualified health professional.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.