- Previous research has shown that poor diet may be associated with 1 in 5 deaths worldwide.
- Recently, researchers at Tufts University found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods puts a person at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- Another team of Italian researchers suggests that people with the lowest quality diet and the highest levels of consumption of ultra-processed foods have a higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death.
The food we eat may play a much bigger role in health and longevity than many people realize. In reality,
Now two new studies recently published in the journal The BMJ examine the effects of ultra-processed foods on certain health conditions.
In one study,
Another study of a
Ultra-processed foods are a category of NOVA Food Classification System designed by researchers from the Center for Epidemiological Studies on Health and Nutrition of the School of Public Health of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The NOVA system classifies foods into four different groups:
- Group 1: unprocessed or minimally processed foods
- Group 2: processed cooking ingredients (oils, fats, salt and sugar)
- Group 3: processed foods
- Group 4: ultra-processed foods
Ultra-processed foods include products made in an industrial setting from ingredients that are primarily or entirely made in a laboratory or extracted from foods.
In general, ultra-processed foods can be identified in a product if at least one element on its list of ingredients is characteristic of the group of ultra-processed foods, which is defined by the following:
Here are some examples of ultra-processed foods:
- sodas and sugary juices
- sports and energy drinks
- Energy bars
- powdered and instant soups
- margarine
- mass-produced and packaged bread and baked goods made with hydrogenated fats, sugar and additives
- prepared meals such as pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and fish fingers
- infant formula
- meal replacement drinks
- mass-produced ice cream
- candies
- sweetened yogurt
Previous research has shown that ultra-processed foods account for approximately 58% of American dietsand are associated with weight gainespecially in women.
According to
Dr Fang Fang Zhang is associate professor and chair of the Division of Nutritional Epidemiology and Data Science at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and corresponding author and co-lead author of the colorectal cancer study.
She said DTM that previous studies have linked ultra-processed foods to higher risks of obesity,
“Dietary risk factors for colorectal cancer include high intake of red and processed meats and low intake of dietary fiber and whole grains,” she explained.
“Ultra-processed foods include processed meats and are low in dietary fiber. Ultra-processed [foods] are also energy dense and contain a high level of added sugars, which contribute to obesity, a known risk factor for colorectal cancer. These motivated us to study the association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the risk of colorectal cancer in the US adult population.
– Dr. Fang Fang Zhang, corresponding author and co-lead author of the colorectal cancer study
After analyzing data from more than 3,200 cases of colorectal cancer, Dr. Zhang and his team found that men who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a 29% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than those who ate the least ultra-processed foods.
However, the researchers reported no correlation between overall consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risk of colorectal cancer in women.
Additionally, researchers found that certain types of ultra-processed foods put both men and women at higher risk for colorectal cancer.
For example, men who ate more ready-to-eat meat, poultry or seafood products and sugary drinks had a higher risk, as did women who ate ready-to-eat meals. and prepared hot.
Dr. Anton Bilchiksurgical oncologist and director of the division of general surgery at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and chief of medicine at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, Calif., said DTM he found this study “fascinating”.
“We certainly know of the higher risk of colorectal cancer with processed foods, such as bacon and other processed products, which may be linked to preservatives, nitrates, and a higher association with red meat,” a- he explained. “But this is really the first study describing ultra-processed foods.”
Dr Bilchik said he found it striking that the study showed an increase in colorectal cancer mainly in men and that it appears to be more associated with
“What’s fascinating about what we’re learning, not just from this study but also from other studies, is that well-known risk factors such as obesity, diabetes (and) smoking are not the the only factors implicated in an increased risk in colorectal cancer,” Dr. Bilchik said.
“Fresh food, which is commonly described as going to the supermarket and shopping from the outside in, plays an important role as an anti-inflammatory and supporting good bacteria and immune cells in disease control.”
– Dr. Anton Bilchik, Chief of Medicine at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica
“Right now we are experiencing an epidemic of young patients being diagnosed with colon cancer.
“Colon cancer is increasing in young people more than any other cancer and every oncologist, medical and surgical, is utterly perplexed by this huge change. The only plausible explanation relates to what this article is referring to, namely an increased use of processed foods and the disruption of cells in our body and the bacteria and immune cells that help fight cancer or reduce the risk of developing cancer. cancer.
Researchers believe that cardiovascular disease is responsible for
Clinicians have known for some time that
In this new study, lead author Dr Marialaura Bonacciosenior epidemiologist in the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention at IRCCS Neuromed in Pozzilli, Italy, and his team compared two different ways of looking at food: the traditional way of rating foods based on their nutritional content only, as
“The goal was basically to see what kind of perspective matters most in defining the long-term mortality risk of our participants,” Bonaccio explained.
Researchers found that people with the lowest quality diet according to the FSAm-NPS Food Index and the highest ultra-processed food intake according to the NOVA classification system were at highest risk of death from all causes. combined and cardiovascular.
“However, when these two dietary dimensions were considered together, we found that a higher degree of food processing was more relevant to this increased risk than poor nutritional quality of the diet,” added Dr. Bonaccio.
Lauren Pelehach SepeA clinical nutritionist at the Kellman Wellness Center in New York, NY, said a poor quality diet, which leads to an imbalanced microbiome and inflammation, is at the root of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
“
“Although historically the treatment of cardiovascular disease has focused on lowering cholesterol, we are increasingly finding that even if you improve these blood markers,
“We know that the norm
western diet which includes many ultra-processed foods, is highly inflammatory, [which means] it also increases your risk of cardiovascular disease.– Lauren Pelehach Sepe, clinical nutritionist at Kellman Wellness Center
For people looking to improve their diet to reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and other health issues, Sepe suggests:
Add more healthy foods to your daily diet
Rather than focusing on what you can’t eat, Sepe said “when people start making changes to their diet, they often feel like they need to make a major change overnight. , which includes giving up all their favorite foods.
“Start slow and add new foods every week,” she added. “Over time, the healthy foods will begin to ‘crowd out’ the old ones.”
Start cooking your own meals
“Most ready-to-heat foods are high in added sugars, salt and additives, which are highly inflammatory,” Sepe said.
“Furthermore, they are often contained in plastic containers which, especially when heated, release chemicals into the food you eat. These are not only highly inflammatory, but can also be carcinogenic.
Take a good quality probiotic daily
Although diet is essential for health, Sepe said “adding a daily probiotic will help improve the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome, which also helps reduce inflammation.”
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