A massive study of more than 460,000 older adults in the United States found that total ultraprocessed food intake showed no link to colorectal cancer risk. Researchers followed participants for a median of nearly 19 years to analyze how dietary patterns influenced cancer development.

What did the research reveal?

The analysis, published in PLOS Medicine, utilized data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Participants aged 50 to 71 were monitored from the mid-1990s through 2018. During this period, 10,075 individuals developed colorectal cancer, including cases in the proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum.

Key findings from the study include:

  • Total consumption of ultraprocessed foods did not significantly change cancer risk.
  • Replacing 10% of ultraprocessed intake with minimally processed options was linked to a 2% lower cancer incidence.
  • There was no evidence that results differed between men and women.

Does the type of food matter more?

While total intake showed no overall association, the specific food groups within the ultraprocessed category told a different story. Researchers noted that the nutritional content of a food may be more important than its processing level.

For example, ultraprocessed sources of whole grains, fiber, dairy, and calcium were linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Conversely, ultraprocessed meats were associated with a higher risk. Each daily serving of meat from ultraprocessed sources was linked to an 8% higher risk, while meat from non-ultraprocessed sources was linked to a 4% higher risk.

Understanding the study limitations

While the findings provide new nuance, researchers noted several limitations to the study. The analysis focused on older adults, who were mostly white, meaning the results may not apply to younger or more diverse populations. Additionally, researchers only measured ultraprocessed food consumption once at the beginning of the study. This approach does not account for how dietary habits may have changed over the nearly two decades of follow-up.

FAQ

Are all ultraprocessed foods unhealthy?

The study suggests that the label alone does not tell the full story, as some ultraprocessed foods like whole grains and dairy were linked to lower cancer risks.

What are ultraprocessed foods?

These are generally industrial products made from extracted ingredients and additives, such as sodas, packaged snacks, and ready meals.