EAT ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS AT YOUR PERIL: Doing so can significantly raise the chances of men getting colorectal cancer. In addition, both men and women are at higher risk of early death. Today we look at ultra-processed food & health.
Those are the conclusions of two large-scale studies of individuals in the United States and Italy, respectively.
You may wonder what I mean by ultra-processed foods. I am thinking about prepackaged sauces, soups, frozen pizza, and ready-to-eat meals. Add hot dogs, sausages, french fries, sodas, store-bought cookies, donuts, and more. You get the point.
Two new studies remind us of the dangers of consuming ultra-processed foods and beverages. We already have scores of studies linking their consumption with obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and early death, observes Marion Nestle, author of numerous food politics and marketing books, including 2015’s “Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning).”
Ultra-processed foods and male colorectal cancer
A United States-based study analyzed the diets of over 200,000 men and women for up to 28 years. Here are the findings:
Ultra-processed food consumption appeared associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, at least among men (but not women).
How much did the ultra-processed foods increase the colorectal risk? Compared with men in the lowest quintile of consumption, those in the highest fifth had a 1.3-times higher risk of colon or rectal cancer. The association remained after the researchers adjusted for individuals’ body mass index.
Why did the men suffer a higher risk of colorectal cancer while the women did not? The answer is unclear, but different levels of sex hormones, obesity, and metabolic hormones may play roles. Is it possible that women consumed more healthy ultra-processed foods than men?
Interestingly, women who consumed higher amounts of ultra-processed dairy foods (for example, yogurt) had a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Some ultra-processed foods — for example, with little or no added sugar — may be healthier than others.
On the other hand, women who ate a lot of ready-to-eat-or-heat foods — for example, pizza — had a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Ultra-processed foods and early mortality
A separate study tracked over 22,000 people for a dozen years in the Molise region of Italy, beginning in 2005. The researchers aimed to determine risk factors for cancer (as well as heart and brain disease).
In The British Medical Journal, scientists compared nutrient-poor foods — high in sugar and saturated or trans fats — with ultra-processed foods to see their relationship with chronic disease and early death.
Let’s get right to the results:
Both nutrient-poor and ultra-processed food types independently increased the risk of early death, especially secondary to cardiovascular disease. However, over 80 percent of the foods classified as nutritionally unhealthy were also ultra-processed.
Why are ultra-processed foods so bad?
First, companies create ultra-processed foods with ingredients made in laboratories or from ingredients extracted from foods. What’s missing? Whole foods. Plus, ultra-processed foods are often laden with salt and sugars while low in dietary fiber. Throw in some chemical additives — think artificial flavors, colors, or stabilizers — and we have a potentially unhealthy brew.
While there may be some variability in the unhealthiness of ultra-processed foods, in general, it’s best if we substitute fruits, vegetables, and legumes for them.
The current study aligns with a 2019 US National Institutes of Health controlled clinical trial comparing a processed and unprocessed diet. Those on the ultra-processed diet ate faster, consuming an additional 500 calories daily compared to those consuming unprocessed foods.
I am delighted that groups such as the American Health Association now recommend choosing minimally processed foods instead of ultra-processed ones. Guidelines from other countries (such as Brazil) have already recognized the dangers of ultra-processed foods.
Thank you for joining me today to examine the relationship between ultra-processed foods, male colorectal cancer, and early mortality.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
