Think before eating that next bite
Eating more ultra processed foods or junk foods can increase your risk of developing and dying from cancer, according to a new study of over 197,000 people in the United Kingdom.
People who ate the most ultra processed foods “were younger and less likely to have a family history of cancer,” the researchers noted. Over half of the people in the study were women, and one of the riskiest cancer types found in the study was ovarian cancer.
About the study
The study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, looked at the association between eating ultra processed foods and 34 different types of cancer. Researchers examined information on the eating habits of 197,426 people.
Findings suggest cancer risk
According to a statement issued by Imperial College London, each 10% increase in ultra processed food consumption was associated with a 2% increase in developing any cancer. The same amount of consumption was also associated with a 19% increased risk for being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Death risk from cancer also increased. For each additional 10% increase in ultra processed food consumption, the death risk from any cancer increased by 6%. According to the statement, the risk of dying from ovarian cancer rose by 30% with an additional 10% increase in ultra processed food consumption.
“This study adds to the growing evidence that ultra-processed foods are likely to negatively impact our health including our risk for cancer,” said Dr. Eszter Vamos, the study’s lead author and a clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London’s School of Public Health.
What includes overly processed foods?
Overly processed foods include popular fast-foods like french fries, sodas, store-bought cookies, cakes, candies, doughnuts, ice cream, sauces, hot dogs, sausages, pre packaged soups, frozen pizza, ready-to-eat meals, and many more.
How are these made?
“Ultra-processed foods are produced with industrially derived ingredients and often use food additives to adjust color, flavor, consistency, texture, or extend shelf life,” said first author Dr. Kiara Chang, a National Institute for Health and Care Research fellow at Imperial College London’s School of Public Health.
Previous studies
A recent 2022 study examined the diets of over 200,000 men and women in the US for up to 28 years. They found a link between ultra processed foods and colorectal cancer in men, but not women.
The findings add to several previous studies showing an association between ultra-processed foods consumption and a higher risk of obesity, heart attacks, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes and overall mortality.
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