New Research Connects Ultra-Processed Diets to Colorectal Health Risks in Younger Adults

A study published in JAMA Oncology has shed light on the potential relationship between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and an increased risk of colorectal cancer, particularly among younger individuals. The research followed approximately 29,100 female nurses over a median period of 13 years, closely examining their dietary habits and long-term health outcomes.

The findings revealed that nurses who consumed high levels of ultra-processed foods – defined as 10 or more servings per day – were about 45% more likely to develop abnormal growths or polyps in the colon and rectum by the age of 50. In contrast, those who consumed the least of these foods, averaging three servings per day, had a significantly lower risk.

Dr Andrew Chan, a gastroenterologist at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Boston and the senior author of the study, noted that while the findings are not conclusive, they offer important insights. He emphasised that the results reinforce the need for greater awareness of dietary choices and the importance of limiting ultra-processed food consumption whenever possible.

The participants were part of the Nurses’ Health Study II, a large-scale research initiative launched in 1989. As part of the study, participants completed detailed dietary questionnaires every four years, allowing researchers to track eating patterns and assess risks for chronic diseases over time. While the study examined multiple health outcomes, Dr Chan highlighted that the adverse effects associated with ultra-processed foods were particularly striking and could not be overlooked.

Source: CNN