New research published in ‘Lancet’ indicates that while highly processed foods are often seen as detrimental to health, their link to increased cancer risk may be primarily due to the consumption of sugary drinks. An extensive study with over 200,000 participants found a correlation between processed food intake and cancer incidence, particularly ovarian cancer, without proving causality. Experts advocate for avoiding sugar-laden beverages and engaging in healthy lifestyle practices to mitigate cancer risk.
It is widely believed that consuming highly processed foods is detrimental to health, but this assertion cannot be definitively confirmed. A study published in the journal ‘Lancet’ indicates that increased consumption of such foods may elevate cancer risk, though notably, this primarily pertains to the intake of two specific beverages.
Study: Poor Diet and Cancer
A range of highly or industrially processed foods commonly appear on our plates, including cakes, salty snacks, processed bread, breakfast cereals, ready-to-eat meals, and fruit juices. These items are convenient, quick to prepare, and often tasty.
A comprehensive study involving over 200,000 participants from the UK Biobank examined how the consumption of these foods affects cancer risk. The findings were published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, which is part of the Lancet Discovery Science series. Significantly, the research didn’t treat all foods uniformly and instead explored specific food groups in detail.
The results are revealing, showing that the adverse effects of highly processed foods are chiefly linked to the consumption of sugary drinks and juices. Other products, such as plant-based meat alternatives, played no significant role.
Sugary Beverages: Obesity Linked to Many Cancer Types
The study’s findings align with recommendations from experts at the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), who have long advised on reducing personal cancer risk. They advocate for completely eliminating sugary drinks from one’s diet, as the rising consumption of these beverages contributes to a global increase in obesity, which in turn heightens the risk of multiple cancer types.
Researchers emphasize that increased body fat is a cause of various cancers, including cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, colon, postmenopausal breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, and kidney.
Highly processed foods are also on their list of items to avoid.
Nearly a Decade-Long Cancer Study
The study revealed that highly processed foods constituted, on average, 22.9 percent of the participants’ diets. Over a follow-up period of 9.8 years, 15,921 individuals were diagnosed with cancer, resulting in 4,009 cancer-related deaths.
The research found that a higher intake of highly processed foods correlated with an elevated risk of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. Each ten percent increase in consumption was associated with a two percent higher overall cancer incidence, and a 19 percent increase in the incidence of ovarian cancer.
Participants who consumed the most processed foods experienced a higher overall cancer incidence, including brain tumors, while having a lower incidence of head and neck cancers compared to those with the lowest consumption.
A ten percentage point increase in processed food consumption corresponded to a six percent higher overall mortality risk (with ovarian cancer showing a 30 percent increase and breast cancer a 16 percent increase).
The study authors emphasized that these associations remained significant even after accounting for key socioeconomic, behavioral, and dietary factors. A novel aspect of this investigation, compared to previous studies, is its examination of cancer incidence and mortality across 34 distinct cancer types.
Lifestyle: More Critical Than Diet
As with most nutritional research, this study has its limitations. It could not establish a causal link between diet and cancer risk, merely a statistical correlation. Online discussions have surfaced various critiques of the study, some of which were noted by nutrition expert Smollich. He argues for a nuanced consideration of highly processed foods.
Even when adjusting for socioeconomic factors, biases remain; individuals with high processed food consumption tend to exhibit different lifestyles compared to those who routinely cook with fresh vegetables. He concludes, “Lifestyle significantly influences cancer risk—beyond just diet.”
Cancer Prevention: Dietary Recommendations from Experts
Ultimately, there is no basis for vilifying highly processed foods, particularly juices and soft drinks, as this study demonstrates. A causal relationship between increased cancer risk and these foods has not been confirmed. Nonetheless, it may prompt individuals to critically evaluate their diet and lifestyle choices.
The diet plays a pivotal role in cancer prevention, even though it does not guarantee absolute protection. An unhealthy diet coupled with insufficient physical activity can lead to obesity, establishing an avoidable cancer risk factor.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) provides specific dietary recommendations for cancer prevention:
In addition to a healthy diet, maintaining an active lifestyle, avoiding smoking, and practicing sun protection are essential measures to reduce cancer risk.