A significant study led by researchers from the University of Bristol and elsewhere has discovered a worrying link between consuming ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and a heightened risk of cancers.
The cancers affect the upper aerodigestive tract, including the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
The study, involving over 450,000 adults followed for around 14 years, suggests that obesity from UPF consumption is not the sole concern.
UPFs and Cancer: Beyond Obesity
The research analyzed data from the comprehensive European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.
It revealed that a 10% increase in UPF consumption correlates with a 23% increased risk of head and neck cancer and a 24% increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Intriguingly, the association between UPF intake and cancer risk was not predominantly explained by increased body fat, suggesting other underlying factors.
Fernanda Morales-Berstein, the study’s lead author, highlighted that while UPFs are often linked to obesity, their study found that the connection with specific cancers might extend beyond just weight gain.
Investigating Other Factors
The study posits that additives in UPFs, such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, alongside contaminants from packaging and manufacturing, might partly explain the observed increased cancer risk.
This indicates a need to explore beyond conventional obesity-related explanations for the adverse health impacts of UPFs.
Call for Further Research
Despite the significant findings, the researchers urge caution and call for more studies. They suggest that biases could have influenced the results, as indicated by an unexpected association between UPF consumption and accidental deaths found in the study.
Professor George Davey Smith and Inge Huybrechts, co-authors, emphasize the complexity of the issue, noting that while UPFs are associated with various health problems, pinpointing causality remains challenging.
Implications for Prevention and Treatment
This research suggests that treatments focusing only on weight loss, such as using drugs like Semaglutide, may not significantly impact preventing upper-aerodigestive tract cancers linked to UPF consumption.
Morales-Berstein emphasizes the importance of broadening the focus beyond weight management.
Dr. Helen Croker from the World Cancer Research Fund supports these findings, stressing the importance of adhering to cancer prevention recommendations, which advocate for a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and beans, as opposed to heavily processed foods.
Conclusion: Rethinking Diet and Cancer Prevention
This study underscores the potential dangers of UPFs in increasing cancer risks, pushing for a reevaluation of dietary habits and emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies in cancer prevention that go beyond controlling obesity.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about This nutrient in diet can prevent inflammation in older people and the findings of Diet high in protein, zinc and niacin may protect heart health during weight loss.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about How to harness the power of anti-cancer foods and supplements and results showing that Empower your plate: cancer-fighting foods and recipes.
The research findings can be found in Nature Communications.
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