Ultra-processed foods increase the risk of cancer, according to a study
Research indicates that men who consume high rates of ultra-processed foods have a 29 percent increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
A team led by researchers from the American universities of Tufts and Harvard has detected a relationship between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and a increased risk ofcolorectal cancer in men.
In a study published in the British Medical Journal (‘The BMJ’), scientists found that men who consumed high levels of ultra-processed foods had a 29% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than men who ate much smaller amounts.
The study analyzed the responses of more than 200,000 participants (159,907 women and 46,341 men) in three large prospective investigations that evaluated dietary intake and were conducted over 25 years.
Meat, poultry or fish products
Researchers have concluded that the strongest association between colorectal cancer and ultra-processed foods among men comes from ready-to-eat meat, poultry, or fish products.
On the other hand, the team of scientists has also observed that increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soft drinks, fruit-based drinks and sugar-sweetened milk-based drinks, is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in men.
The same association has not been found in women.
However, the case of women has been different. Of 159,907 women followed in the investigations, the research team has documented 1,922 cases of colorectal cancer. In men, 1,294 cases were recorded among the 46,341 participants in this study.
This result could be due to the fact that the analyses have revealed differences in the forms of consumption of ultra-processed foods by men and women and the possible risk of associated cancer.
Along these lines, one of the co-authors of the study, Fang Zhang, has pointed out that the consumption of foods such as yogurt can “counteract the harmful effect” of other types of ultra-processed foods in the case of women .