High consumption of ultra-processed foods could lead to an increased risk of cancer, according to a new study from Imperial College London (ICL).
The new study by ICL’s School of Public Health is the most comprehensive investigation to date into the association between ultra-processed foods and the risk of developing cancer. Ultra-processed foods included products such as fizzy drinks, mass-produced packaged bread, ready meals and most breakfast cereals.
The study has been published in eClinicalMedicine and was completed in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the University of São Paulo, and NOVA University Lisbon.
Certain cancers are more susceptible to risk
Ultra-processed foods are often cheap, convenient, and heavily marketed, often as healthy options. However, they are usually high in salt, fat, and sugar, and artificial additives. Previous research has linked these foods with a range of health issues including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that the consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with an increased risk of developing cancer overall, specifically ovarian and brain cancers. For every 10% increase in ultra-processed food in a person’s diet, the risk of cancer increased by 2% for cancer overall and 19% for ovarian cancer.
Each 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption also led to overall increased mortality for cancer by 6%. The same increase caused a 16% increase in mortality for breast cancer and 30% for ovarian cancer.
These links remained after adjustments were made for socio-economic, behavioural, and dietary factors, such as smoking status, physical activity and body mass index (BMI).
The impact of ultra-processed foods in the UK
Past research from the same team found levels of ultra-processed food consumption in the UK were the highest in Europe in both adults and children. They also reported that consumption of these foods was associated with a risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the UK.
“This study adds to the growing evidence these foods are likely to negatively impact our health including our risk for cancer. Given the high levels of consumption in UK adults and children, this has important implications for future health outcomes,” said Dr Eszter Vamos, lead senior author for the study.
“Although our study cannot prove causation, other available evidence shows that reducing ultra-processed foods in our diet could provide important health benefits. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the best public health strategies to reduce the widespread presence and harm of ultra-processed foods in our diet,” she continued.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation recommend restricting processed foods as part of a healthy sustainable diet.
Several countries around the world have increased efforts to reduce processed food consumption. Countries such as Brazil, France and Canada have updated their national dietary guidelines with recommendations to limit these foods. The marketing of ultra-processed foods in schools has been in Brazil. However, there are no similar measures in place in the UK.
“The average person in the UK consumes more than half of their daily energy intake from ultra-processed foods. This is exceptionally high and concerning as processed foods are produced with industrially derived ingredients and often use food additives to adjust colour, flavour, consistency, texture, or extend shelf life,” said Dr Kiara Chang, first author of the study.
“Our bodies may not react the same way to these ultra-processed ingredients and additives as they do to fresh and nutritious minimally processed foods. However, ultra-processed foods are everywhere and highly marketed with cheap prices and attractive packaging to promote consumption. This shows our food environment needs urgent reform to protect the population from ultra-processed foods,” she concluded.
