THE ESSENTIAL
- Ultra-processed foods are often very high in salt, fat or sugar and contain artificial additives. Prepared meals, sodas, industrial cakes, cold cuts and sausages are among them.
- In a previous study, the team noted that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in adults and greater weight gain in children. .
Charcuterie, bacon, hamburgers, fries… if these dishes make many gourmands salivate, they are far from being good for your health. A study by Imperial College London, conducted in collaboration with the International Center for Research on Cancer at the University of São Paulo and NOVA University in Lisbon, confirms that a high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a greater risk of developing cancer in general, and more particularly those of the ovary and the brain.
Ultra-processed foods drive up cancer incidence
The researchers examined the records of 200,000 people who took part in the UK Biobank study. They had information about their diet. The participants’ health was tracked over a 10-year period. Among other things, the team examined the risk of developing cancer as well as the mortality rate of patients.
Works published in the journal eClinicalMedicine confirm that eating a significant amount of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher risk of developing cancer in general, and specifically ovarian and brain cancers. It was also associated with an increased risk of dying from malignancy, especially in the ovary and breast.
According to the data collected, each 10% increase in ultra-processed foods on the menu leads to a 2% increase in the incidence of cancer in general and 19% of ovarian cancer in particular.
The same increase in processed products on the plate was associated with an overall increase in cancer mortality of 6%, as well as a 16% increase for breast cancer and 30% for ovarian cancer. .
These associations remained after adjusting for a range of socioeconomic, behavioral and dietary factors, such as smoking status, physical activity and body mass index (BMI).
Necessary measures for a more natural diet
Dr Eszter Vamos of Imperial College London and lead author of the paper notes that “This study adds to growing evidence that ultra-processed foods are likely to negatively impact our health, including our risk of cancer.” Thus, for the scientist and her team, it is important to rethink our diet.
Dr. Kiara Chang who worked on the research, laments: “Ultra-processed foods are everywhere and heavily marketed with cheap prices and attractive packaging to promote consumption.” She believes that “It shows that our food environment needs urgent reform to protect people from ultra-processed foods.”
She adds : “Low-income households are particularly vulnerable to these cheap and unhealthy ultra-processed foods. Minimally processed, freshly prepared meals should be subsidized to ensure everyone has access to healthy, nutritious and affordable options.”