Don't eat too many conditioning packs and sugary drinks! Study: Ultra-processed foods increase cancer incidence and mortality
Study: Eating more ultra-processed foods may increase cancer incidence and mortality
“Ultra-processed foods” (Ultra-processed foods) such as pastries, biscuits, ice cream, prepared snacks, and frozen foods contain high levels of salt, fat, sugar, and artificial additives. In the past, various studies have pointed out that excessive intake will cause Increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A recent observational study using data from nearly 200,000 items in the British Biobank found that consuming ultra-processed foods increases the risk of 34 specific cancers.
After analyzing the data of more than 200,000 participants followed for 10 years, a research team from Imperial College London showed that for every 10% increase in the intake of ultra-processed foods in the daily diet, the overall cancer incidence rate will increase by 2 %. In terms of the incidence of various cancers, the risk of ovarian cancer increases most significantly, as high as 19%.
In terms of the impact on cancer mortality, for every 10% increase in daily dietary intake of ultra-processed foods, the total cancer mortality will increase by 6%, of which breast cancer mortality will increase by 16% and ovarian cancer mortality will increase by 30%. Although this study is an observational study and cannot clearly establish a causal relationship between the intake of ultra-processed foods and the development of cancer, it still points to the potential impact of ultra-processed foods on community health.
The research team pointed out that most ultra-processed foods are cheap and easy to obtain. Nearly half of the daily calories consumed by the average person in the UK and the United States comes from ultra-processed foods. However, the negative impact of ultra-processed foods on health is not only reflected in obesity and diabetes in adults and children, but may also increase the risk of cancer in the future. More intervention measures are needed to avoid the expansion of harm.
Non-communicable diseases cause 70% of deaths, unhealthy diet is the main cause
Advances in science and medicine have kept people away from the huge threat of high mortality from infectious diseases. In the era of industrialization and the Internet, chronic diseases have gradually become the main factors affecting people’s health. Statistics show that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer cause nearly 70% of deaths worldwide, and unhealthy diet is an important factor in the occurrence of NCDs.
A comprehensive analysis of ultra-processed foods published in Nutrition Journal showed that excessive intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with total mortality, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression, intestinal It has been linked to mania, cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, and adolescent asthma. In terms of obesity, higher intake of ultra-processed foods increases the chance of abdominal obesity by nearly 62%. Obviously, ultra-processed foods are not unrelated to the global epidemic of obesity in recent years, and the impact of ultra-processed foods on intestinal microflora is a topic of concern to many scholars.
The degree of food processing is divided into four levels. Ultra-processed food is high in calories and low in nutrients.
According to the international “NOVA Food Classification”, food is divided into 4 levels according to the degree of processing:
Level 1: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods, such as meat, vegetables, and fruits
Level 2: Processed cooking ingredients, the ingredients are processed and cooked with oil and salt
Level 3: Processed foods, such as canned products and nuts with added sugars and fats
Level 4: Ultra-processed foods, beverages, pastries, biscuits, ice cream, frozen foods, and preparation packages
In this era of industrialization and globalization of the food industry, ultra-processed foods are very easy to obtain. Most of these foods contain more free sugars, saturated fats, high energy density, and high sodium content, but contain very little protein, fiber, and micronutrients. few. Coupled with various pigments, flavorings, emulsifiers and other food additives, it creates a popular taste, such as candies, biscuits, ice cream, processed meats, and frozen (microwave) foods. Especially the lower-middle class with low income in society are more likely to consume ultra-processed food as a dietary source.
Non-communicable diseases have become a top priority for community health and public health, and ultra-processed foods have been proven to be risk factors that cannot be ignored. The research team suggests that people should be encouraged to reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods and increase or promote the intake of minimally healthy foods (fresh vegetables, fruits). Competent authorities must also consider formulating relevant policies to standardize and even restrict the sale of ultra-processed foods in schools to help reduce the damage that unhealthy diets do to the overall health of society.
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