"BMJ" Men who eat ultra-processed foods are more likely to get colorectal cancer

For many Americans, the convenience of precooked and fast-food meals can make it easy to overlook less-than-ideal nutritional information, but a team led by researchers at Tufts University and Harvard University hopes this That could change because they recently found a link between high consumption of overly processed foods and an increased risk of colorectal cancer

In a study published Aug.

"We initially thought that colorectal cancer might be the cancer most affected by diet compared to other cancer types," said study lead author Lu Wang, a postdoctoral fellow in the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

The study analyzed feedback from more than 200,000 participants, including 159,907 women and 46,341 men, in three large prospective studies that assessed dietary intake over 25 years

In the study, published in The BMJ, participants' ultra-processed food intake was divided into five equal parts, ranging from the lowest to the highest value

Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods

The analysis revealed differences in how men and women consume ultra-processed foods, and potentially associated cancer risks

In men, the strongest link between colorectal cancer and ultra-processed foods came from ready-to-eat meat, poultry or fish products, the team found

The team also found that drinking more sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, fruit drinks and sugar-sweetened milk drinks, was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in men

However, not all ultra-processed foods are equally harmful to colorectal cancer risk

Overall, there was no link between women's consumption of ultra-processed foods and their risk of colorectal cancer

"Foods like yogurt may counteract the harmful effects of other ultra-processed foods on women," Zhang said

Mingyang Song, one of the study's senior authors and an assistant professor of clinical epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.

While ultra-processed foods are often associated with poor dietary quality, there may be other factors in addition to poor dietary quality of ultra-processed foods that affect colorectal cancer risk

Zhang noted that the potential role of food additives in altering gut microbiota, promoting inflammation, contaminants formed during food processing or migrating from food packaging could all contribute to the development of cancer

analyze data

All three studies had follow-up rates of more than 90%, and the study teams had sufficient data for processing and review

"Cancer takes years or even decades to develop, and from our epidemiological studies, we have shown potential potential effects - it takes years to see the effect of a certain exposure on cancer risk, " Song said

These studies include:

• Nurses' Health Study (1986-2014): 121,700 registered female nurses aged 30 to 55

• Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2015): 116,429 female nurses aged 25-42

• Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2014): 51,529 male health professionals aged 40-75
  .
  

After excluding past diagnoses or incomplete surveys, the researchers obtained prospective data from 159,907 women and 46,341 men from the NHS study
.

The team adjusted for potential confounders such as race, family history of cancer, history of endoscopy, weekly physical activity time, smoking status, total alcohol and total caloric intake, regular aspirin use, and menopausal status
.

Zhang realized that because the participants in these studies all work in the healthcare field, the findings in these populations may not be the same as the results in the general population, because the participants may be more inclined to eat healthier foods and stay away from ultra-processed foods
.
The data may also be skewed because of changes in how it has been handled over the past 20 years
.

"But we're comparing groups of people who get more and who get less
.
So these comparisons are valid,
" Zhang said.

Changes in Meal Patterns

A previously published study by Wang and Zhang found an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods among U.
S.
children and teens
.
Both studies underscore the idea that many different populations may rely on ultra-processed foods in their daily diets
.

"A lot of people's dependence on these foods can be attributed to factors like access and convenience," said Zhang, who is also a member of the Tufts Global Obesity Institute
.
"Chemically processed foods can help extend shelf life, but many processed foods are less healthy than unprocessed alternatives
.
We need to make consumers aware of the risks of consuming large amounts of unhealthy foods and make it easier for them to choose healthier options
.
"

Changes won't happen overnight, and they hope this study, and others, will help change dietary rules and recommendations
.

"Long-term change requires a multi-step approach," Wang added
.
Researchers continue to study how nutrition-related policies, dietary recommendations, and changes in recipes and formulations, along with other healthy lifestyle habits, can improve overall health and reduce cancer burden
.
It will be important for us to continue to study the link between cancer and diet, as well as potential interventions to improve outcomes
.

Association of ultra-processed food consumption with colorectal cancer risk among men and women: results from three prospective US cohort studies