But these and other junk food staples could be messing with women\u2019s chances of trying to have a baby, according to new research from McMaster University<\/a>.<\/p>\n Countless studies have documented the downsides of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), including but not limited to increased risk of heart attack<\/a> and stroke, cancer<\/a>, metabolic syndrome,\u00a0obesity<\/a>,\u00a0dementia and even premature death.<\/p>\n UPFs have also previously been linked to negative effects on men\u2019s fertility<\/a>, and now another study has noted the effects these supermarket staples have on women\u2019s ability to get pregnant.<\/p>\n Published in Nutrition and Health<\/a>, the findings show that women\u00a0who consume\u00a0lower\u00a0amounts of\u00a0ultra-processed foods\u00a0have higher odds of conceiving.<\/p>\n Analyzing data from over 2,500 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers found clear differences in the eating patterns of women who struggled to conceive after a year of trying and those who didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n The women who reported infertility had daily diets that contained about 31% UPFs and a lower intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.<\/p>\n Even on a larger scale, higher ultra-processed food intake was linked to around 60% lower odds of fertility.<\/p>\n The study, a first-of-its-kind look at the link between ultra-processed foods and infertility in women, suggests that what women of reproductive age eat and how much its been processed plays a much bigger role in their health beyond weight and calories.<\/p>\n \u201cUltra-processed foods often carry chemicals like phthalates, BPA and acrylamides, which can leach from packaging or even from the plastic machinery used during processing,\u201d study co-author Angelina Baric said in a press release<\/a>. \u201cThese compounds are known to disrupt hormones, and that may be part of why we\u2019re seeing a link.\u201d<\/p>\n These highly processed foods\u00a0\u2014 which include packaged goods, drinks, cereals and ready-to-eat products \u2014 are also typically high in sugar, saturated fat and salt and devoid of vitamins and fiber.<\/p>\n While the study doesn\u2019t prove UPFs directly cause infertility, the results are still influential given how common these foods are.<\/p>\n The survey data was pulled from combined interviews, 24-hour dietary recalls and laboratory tests to capture detailed information on diet, demographics, health status and biomarkers. Health factors, such as age, weight and lifestyle, were also taken into account.<\/p>\n Although the effects of chemicals from UPFs on reproductive health is still being studied, Baric added that it\u2019s still possible for women looking to conceive to improve their chances through their food choices.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0not about perfection\u00a0\u2014\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0about\u00a0noticing how food is processed,\u00a0choosing\u00a0more foods\u00a0in their natural states and\u00a0picking\u00a0ingredients you recognize,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cEven that simple\u00a0shift can\u00a0lower\u00a0exposure to things we still\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0fully understand.\u201d<\/p>\n However, the unknown effects of UPFs on women\u2019s fertility specifically are cause for concern.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/distraught-woman-feeling-concerned-food-124312469.jpg\")
A study from McMaster University has found a supermarket staple may be a culprit behind reproductive troubles. Drazen \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/female-doctor-ob-gyn-examining-124312266.jpg\")
Women who ate more ultra-processed foods and fewer whole foods struggled to conceive after a year of trying. Svitlana \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n