Frequent consumption of highly processed foods is associated with an increased risk cancer and death from it, especially in relation to gynecological cancer, shows new international scientific study.

This is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the link between highly processed foods and cancer.

These products include products that have undergone significant processing in their production, such as carbonated soft drinks, prepackaged bread, prepared meals (french fries, frozen pizza, hot dogs, cookies), sweets, cereals, ice cream, etc.

Often such products are relatively cheap, convenient to consume, and promoted through strong marketing. However, at the same time, they usually have more salt, fat, sugar, artificial additives and other substances. Other studies have linked these foods to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more.

The risk is increasing

Researchers from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, in collaboration with scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the universities of São Paulo (Brazil) and Nova Lisboa (Portugal), made a relevant publication in the medical journal eClinical Medicine analyzed data from approximately 198,000 people aged 40-69 years, who were followed for ten years regarding the diagnosis of 34 different types of cancer and the likelihood of dying from them.

During the study, about 16,000 people developed cancer and 4,000 died from it.

It turned out that for every 10% increase in a person’s consumption of highly processed foods, the probability of diagnosing cancer in general increased by 2% and the probability of ovarian cancer in particular increased by 19%. In addition, there was an increase in cancer mortality of 6% in general and, in particular, 16% for breast cancer and 30% for ovarian cancer.

Lead researcher Dr Esther Vamos of Imperial said: “The new study adds to the growing evidence that highly processed foods can have negative health effects, including an increased risk of cancer… in our diets can provide significant health benefits. Future research should confirm these findings.”

Lead researcher Dr. Kiara Chang, also from Imperial, said: “Highly processed foods are everywhere and are widely promoted with low prices and attractive packaging to increase consumption. This shows that our food environment is in urgent need of reform to protect the population from highly processed foods.”

The World Health Organization and the United Nations International Food and Agriculture Organization have previously recommended limiting highly processed foods as part of a healthier diet. In a number of countries, such as France, Canada and Brazil, efforts are being made to reduce the consumption of these products.

More research

The researchers suggested, among other things, that highly processed food packaging should have clear warning labels to protect particularly the poorest households, who are most vulnerable to cheap but also unhealthy foods.

On the other hand, the scientists acknowledged that their observational study does not prove a causal relationship between highly processed foods and cancer, but an association. Therefore, more research is needed to prove such a link.

They added that cancer has now overtaken cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of premature death in many high-income countries.

According to APE-MPE, CNN