Scientists have revealed that eating certain types of food can mean as much as a 30 per cent higher risk of developing some forms of cancer. The Imperial School of Public Health has released the results of research which says there is a definite link between eating ultra-processed foods and the risk of developing cancers.
In some cases the study suggested there was an increase in the chances of getting the killer disease of a third. The foods to avoid, according to the research are fizzy drinks, mass-produced packaged breads, many ready meals and most breakfast cereals.
Processed foods are any raw agricultural commodities that have been washed, cleaned, milled, cut, chopped, heated, pasteurized, blanched, cooked, canned, frozen, dried, dehydrated, mixed or packaged — anything done to them that alters their natural state. This may include adding preservatives, flavours, nutrients and other food additives, or substances approved for use in food products, such as salt, sugars and fats.
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Part of the problem in terms of stopping people buying these kinds of food is the fact that they are often cheap, simpler to make than normal foods, which makes them more convenient and frequently marketed as healthy options. However the foods are generally higher in salt, fat, sugar, and contain artificial additives.
Apart from the cancer risk, foods with these characteristics can lead to increased obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In the new study scientists studied the records of 200,000 adults in the UK over the course of 10 years.
The shocking results included:
- For every 10 per cent increase in ultra-processed food in a person’s diet, there was an increased incidence of two per cent for cancer overall, and a 19 per cent increase for ovarian cancer specifically.
- Each 10 per cent increase in ultra-processed food consumption was also associated with increased mortality for cancer overall by six per cent, alongside a 16 per cent increase for breast cancer and a 30 per cent increase for ovarian cancer.
These links remained after adjusting for a range of socio-economic, behavioural and dietary factors, such as smoking status, physical activity and body mass index (BMI).
Dr Eszter Vamos, lead senior author for the study, from Imperial College London’s School of Public Health, said: “This study adds to the growing evidence that ultra-processed 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.
“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 harms of ultra-processed foods in our diet.
“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. The average person in the UK consumes more than half of their daily energy intake from ultra-processed foods.
Dr Chang added: “We need clear front of pack warning labels for ultra-processed foods to aid consumer choices, and our sugar tax should be extended to cover ultra-processed fizzy drinks, fruit-based and milk-based drinks, as well as other ultra-processed products.
“Lower income households are particularly vulnerable to these cheap and unhealthy ultra-processed foods. Minimally processed and freshly prepared meals should be subsidised to ensure everyone has access to healthy, nutritious and affordable options.”
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