Ultra-processed foods linked to increased cancer risk, diabetes, and heart disease

New research published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that the higher the consumption of ultra-processed foods, the higher the risk of suffering from a combination of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, “Ultra-processed foods are convenient (long-shelf life, ready-to-eat), industrially manufactured foods with added ingredients or additives (eg, modified starch, hydrogenated oils) that are typically found in fast food restaurants or sold via supermarkets. Examples are soft drinks, sweet or savory packaged snacks, processed meat, pre-prepared frozen or shelf-stable dishes, and more.”

“The researchers discovered that the more ultra-processed foods consumed, the greater the risk of suffering from 2 or more long-term health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.”

The lead study author Reynalda Córdova stated that: “Our study highlights the importance of ensuring universal access to fresh and less processed foods. In addition, our findings emphasize the importance of a differentiated analysis of ultra-processed food subgroups.”

While certain groups, such as animal products and artificially and sugar-sweetened beverages, were associated with increased risk, other groups, such as ultra-processed breads and cereals or alternative plant-based products, showed no association with risk.

Heinz Freisling, co-author and study lead at IARC, clarified that: “These findings are of concern because ultra-processed foods comprise nowadays more than half of our daily food intake. Critics of the classification of certain foods as ultra-processed argue that the definition is impractical and that some foods classified as ultra-processed make important contributions to the nutrient intake of specific population groups (e.g., older adults).”

However, the study authors noted that his study emphasizes that it’s not necessary to completely avoid ultra-processed foods; rather, their consumption should be limited, and preference be given to fresh or minimally processed foods.”

Dr Helen Croker, Assistant Director of Research and Policy at World Cancer Research Fund, said: “What’s particularly significant in this large study is that eating more ultra-processed foods, in particular animal products and sweetened beverages, was linked to an increased risk of developing cancer along with another disease such as a stroke or diabetes.

The Cancer Prevention Recommendations of the World Cancer Research Fund include limiting processed foods high in fat, starches or sugars, avoiding processed meat and eating plenty of wholegrains, vegetables, pulses and fruit.”

Karl-Heinz Wagner, study co-author and professor at the University of Vienna, said: “The results indicate that the existing dietary recommendations, focusing on the consumption of plant-based foods, are consistent with current findings on ultra-processed foods. This is another reason to reduce the high consumption of animal-based foods.”

The study was co-funded by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Cancer Research UK, the French National Cancer Institute and World Cancer Research Fund International.

Read the study itself at:

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of multi-morbidity of cancer and cardiovascular diseases: a multinational cohort study (2023)

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(23)00190-4/fulltext

“On Nov 1, 2023, Colombia rolled out a tax on ultra-processed foods, which will start at 10% before increasing to 15% in 2024, and 20% in 2025. The tax was introduced alongside a tiered tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Colombia has already enacted front-of-pack nutrition labelling for the foods that are liable for the new tax. The measures have been introduced in response to the country’s obesity crisis—more than half of Colombian adults are overweight or obese. President Gustavo Petro took to the platform X (formerly Twitter) to reassure people that the tax was to help them choose healthy food options and improve the health of the Colombian population, and not just to take money from them.”

Source: The Lancet Oncology (December 2023)

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00591-0/fulltext

References:

Cordova R, Viallon V, Fontielle E, et al. Consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of multimorbidity of cancer and cardiometabolic diseases: a multinational cohort study. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe 2023;35: 100771. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2666-7762%2823%2900190-4

World Cancer Research Fund International. Pres Release. Ultra-processed foods linked to increased cancer risk, diabetes, and heart disease. November 14, 2023. Available at: https://www.wcrf.org/latest/news-and-updates/new-study-reveals-ultra-processed-foods-linked-to-increased-cancer-risk-diabetes-and-heart-disease/

New junk food legislation in Colombia. The Lancet Oncology. 2023;24(12)E460. December 2023. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00591-0/fulltext