February 1, 2023 – Eating more ultra-processed foods is related to an increased risk of developing and dying from cancer, particularly ovarian cancer, in keeping with a brand new study.
The study, published Tuesday within the journal eClinical Medicineexamined greater than 197,000 people within the United Kingdom. More than half of them were women. Scientists spent over a decade studying the link between the consumption of highly processed foods and 34 forms of cancer.
UPFs include sodas, sausages, store-bought cakes, ready meals, hot dogs and ready-made soups.
“Ultra-processed foods are made with industrially-sourced ingredients and often use food additives to adjust color, taste, consistency, texture or extend shelf life,” said Kiara Chang, study creator at Imperial College London's School of Public Health, in a press release. “Our bodies may not respond to these ultra-processed ingredients and additives in the same way as they do to fresh and nutritious, minimally processed foods.”
People who eat more highly processed foods also are likely to drink “more sodas and less tea and coffee, as well as fewer vegetables and other foods associated with a healthy eating pattern,” said Duane Mellor of Aston Medical School in Birmingham. CNN.
“This may mean that it is not specifically an effect of the ultra-processed foods themselves, but rather the effect of lower intake of healthier foods,” said Mellor, who was not involved within the study.
The study participants' diets consisted of 9.1 to 41.4 percent UPFs. The researchers compared their eating habits with medical records that listed cancer diagnoses and deaths.
For every 10% increase in UPF consumption, the chance of cancer increased by 2% and the chance of ovarian cancer increased by 19%. Deaths increased by 6% for each 10% increase in consumption, and the chance of dying from ovarian cancer increased by 30%.
UPFs are high in salt, sugar and fat, but low in fiber or whole foods. They may also be contaminated during processing and thru the usage of additives and packaging, the study says.
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