A new experiment looked at information from 450,000 adults over 14 years and found that eating more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may raise the risk of getting cancers in the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
The results show that this connection between UPFs and cancer risk is not just because of being overweight.
Let's find out more about what they've discovered.
A concerning discovery
Other studies, including a large study in Europe, have also found a connection between eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and cancer.
The researchers wanted to explore this link further because there is growing evidence about it.
Scientists discovered that a 10% increase in UPF consumption was linked to a 23% higher risk of head and neck cancer and a 24% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
However, the increased risk could not be entirely explained by body fat alone.
The study suggests that additives and contaminants present in UPFs might have a role in this association.
However, the authors of the study also mentioned that there could be biases in the findings, so more research is necessary to confirm the results.
Why it's important
The experiment highlights the significance of a healthy diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans in cancer prevention.
Previously, we talked about oat milk.
