Women under 50 who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) face a higher risk of developing abnormal growths in their bowels. This link could potentially lead to cancer, according to recent research.
Ultra-processed foods are industrial products that are often ready to eat, lacking in whole foods, fiber, and essential vitamins. Instead, they tend to be high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. While not every UPF is harmful, many studies show a clear connection between these foods and various health issues, including heart disease and even early death.
Recent findings indicate that women consuming more UPFs are more likely to develop common bowel polyps called conventional adenomas. Dr. Andrew Chan, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, pointed out that understanding the dietary causes of rising bowel cancer rates in younger individuals was a driving factor behind the study.
He noted, “Most of these polyps do not turn into bowel cancer, but many bowel cancers in younger people do arise from these lesions.”
The study examined data from the Nurses’ Health Study II, which started in 1989 and includes female nurses born between 1947 and 1964. From 1991 onward, these nurses completed food questionnaires every four years, detailing their eating habits over the previous year.
Researchers analyzed responses from 29,105 participants who had undergone colonoscopies and had no history of polyps or other cancers, except for non-melanoma skin cancer. They followed these women until 2015, when all had reached 50. By that time, they recorded 1,189 cases of early-onset conventional adenomas.
What they found was striking: women who ate the most UPFs—about 10 servings daily—had a 45% higher risk of developing these polyps compared to those eating the least—around 3 servings a day, even after considering factors like weight, smoking, and exercise.
Interestingly, there was no increased risk for a different type of polyp known as serrated lesions. While the study provides compelling evidence, it has limitations. The results are based on self-reported diet data, which can be imprecise. It also didn’t directly measure cancer risk, nor did it examine whether UPFs cause polyps.
Notably, Dr. Chan mentioned that there are plausible reasons to believe UPFs might play a role in this issue. These foods could contribute to weight gain and related metabolic disorders, which have been linked to higher bowel cancer risk. Additionally, they may increase chronic inflammation or alter gut bacteria.
Although the results might also apply to men, additional research is needed for confirmation. Dr. Chan emphasized that eating UPFs doesn’t guarantee cancer development, stating it’s just one part of the larger puzzle concerning rising cancer rates.
Fiona Osgun from Cancer Research UK echoed these sentiments, saying the research sheds light on dietary influences on bowel health. She emphasized that improving access to healthier food options is vital. “Overall diet matters more for cancer risk than any single food type,” she explained.
This study highlights the importance of being aware of what we eat. Adjusting our diets can lead to better health outcomes and help in the fight against rising cancer rates.
For further reading, you can check the study published in JAMA Oncology.
