Researchers call out the dangers of ultra-processed foods
Eating just one bag of chips a day may increase your risk of throat and mouth cancer by 25%, a new study suggests. Consuming just 350g of ultra-processed foods such as pizza and burgers may increase your risk of cancer, researchers warn.
A study has found that eating a “family-sized” bag of chips every day can increase the risk of throat and oral cancer by 25 percent, writes the Daily Mail. Researchers found that the risk of cancer increased sharply when people ate just 350g of ultra-processed food a day for a decade – the equivalent of a large bag of chips.
This amount was associated with a 20 percent increase in the risk of developing head cancer and neck and a 25 percent increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that grows in the lining of the esophagus, the Daily Mail notes.
Previous studies have suggested that the link between cancer risk and unhealthy foods may be explained by the fact that these high-calorie foods can cause harmful weight gain.
However, the latest study argues for an alternative mechanism, since excess weight was factor in only a small proportion of cancer cases.
Instead, researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK say the disease may be the result of detrimental changes in gut flora, as well as potential hormonal effects.
Dr. David Katz, a preventative and lifestyle medicine specialist who was not involved in the study, comments to CNN: “If UPFs (ultra-processed foods) contribute to cancer risk, they do so in a small way by promoting obesity, and in a much larger way by promoting obesity.” “Through other mechanisms. What could it be? Diet-induced inflammation; microbiome disruption; adverse epigenetic effects; and many other possibilities come to mind.”
Highly processed foods such as sodas, chips, nuggets, candies and cakes contain many ingredients, most of which are rarely used in the kitchen, explains the Daily Mail. These foods also contain additives such as artificial colors and preservatives, which help keep the food fresher longer. Also, these types of foods are often high in calories, sugar, salt and fat, which increases the likelihood of weight gain if consumed regularly.
The new study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, analyzed diet and lifestyle data from 450,111 adults participating in a larger European study.
It is one of the largest studies in Europe, called the European Prospective Study. Cancer and Nutrition” (EPIC). Participants from 23 centers in 11 European countries took part between 1992 and 1999.
For the new paper, the researchers looked at cancer rates in participants who ate a lot of processed food over 14 years and compared the results with those who ate little.
Interestingly, a higher waist-to-hip ratio—an indicator of obesity—explains only five percent of the 23 percent increase in head and neck cancer risk.
Meanwhile, increases in body mass index (BMI) over the study period explained 13 percent additional risk of esophageal cancer, while the ratio waist and hips accounted for a 15 percent risk of the disease.
However, the findings do not indicate a direct cause – it is possible that the increased risk of cancer was caused by other factors, the Daily Mail notes. Those who eat large amounts of unhealthy food are also more likely to smoke and drink alcohol – known risk factors for throat and mouth cancer.
Speaking of the results, study leader Fernanda Morales Burstein tells DailyMail.com: “Replace any The amount of ultra-processed foods in the diet to less processed foods may reduce the risk of developing cancer of the upper digestive tract.”
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