Doctors worldwide are puzzled by the fact that there are more cancer cases among adults under 50 than ever before. Over the last 30 years, young diagnoses have risen by 80% globally, with ultra-processed food being identified as the likely cause.
Cancer experts weigh in on the situation
While the reason for this massive increase in cancer among younger adults is not yet totally clear, medical experts are investigating the situation and coming forward with theories in terms of why this is happening.
Professor Charles Swanton, an oncologist and Chief Clinician at Cancer Research UK has highlighted emerging links between the pattern and people’s increasing consumption of junk food, or ultra-processed food, as reported by Mail Online.
Dr Cathy Eng, a bowel cancer doctor at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Nashville, noted that many young cancer patients also suffer lifestyle-related conditions linked to poor diets. This includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
“We advise that people eat less overly processed, high in saturated fat, sugar and salt food.”
Matthew Lambert, a nutritionist and health information and promotion manager at World Cancer Research Fund
A 2023 study in the journal Clinical Nutrition found a consistent significant association between the intake of ultra-processed food (UPF) and the risk of overall and several cancers including colon, breast, and pancreatic cancer.
A separate analysis found that a diet high in UPFs was associated with more than 30 health conditions, including colon, rectal, and pancreatic cancers; obesity, which raises the risk of cancer; as well as heart disease and diabetes.
What is ultra-processed food?
UPF contains little or no whole foods. They are also often industrially formulated, using synthetic sweeteners, colourings, and other chemical preservatives and emulsifiers. UPFs are likely to contain high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar, and to be low in fibre. These foods generally have a long shelf life.
An easy guide to use is thinking in terms of convenience. Many food items that are very convenient such as ready meals, are also ultra-processed. Ready meals typically contain preservatives and other additives frequently used in UPFs to make them last longer and look and taste good.
Common ultra-processed foods
Although more research is needed to understand exactly what about ultra-processed foods could be bad for our health, i.e. is it one of the ingredients in them or is it the combination of certain ingredients, medical experts agree that UPFs are bad for your health. Here is a list of common ultra-processed foods:
- Mass-produced bread
- Vegan ‘meat’
- Chicken nuggets
- Margarine
- Vienna sausages
- Instant noodles
- Ice cream
- Instant soup
Will you cut out some food from your diet after reading this?
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