2024-01-11 10:54:54
A recent study found that eating a family-sized bag of potato chips every day can increase the risk of throat and mouth cancer by 25%.
Researchers found that cancer risk rose when people ate just 350g of ultra-processed foods per day over a decade – the equivalent of a large packet of potato chips.
This amount was associated with a 20% increased risk of head and neck cancer, and a 25% increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that grows in the lining of the food pipe.
Previous research has indicated that the relationship between cancer risk and fast food can be explained by the fact that these high-calorie items can cause harmful weight gain.
However, the latest study makes an argument for an alternative mechanism, as excess weight was only a factor in a small proportion of cancer cases. Instead, the researchers, from the University of Bristol in the UK, say the disease might be caused by harmful changes in gut tissue, as well as possible hormonal influences.
Ultra-processed foods, such as soft drinks, potato chips, nuggets, candy and cake, contain many ingredients, most of which are rarely used in kitchens. They also contain additives such as artificial colors and preservatives, which keep food fresher for longer.
These types of foods are often high in calories, sugar, salt and fat, making them more likely to gain weight if eaten regularly.
The new study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, analyzed diet and lifestyle data for 450,111 adults who participated in a wider European study.
The study, called the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), is one of the largest in Europe and recruited participants between 1992 and 1999 from 23 centers in 11 European countries. For the new paper, researchers looked at cancer incidence in participants who ate large amounts of processed foods over a 14-year period — and compared the results with those who ate less. Interestingly, a larger waist-to-hip ratio – a measure of obesity – explained only five percent of the 23 percent higher risk of head and neck cancer.
Speaking regarding the findings, study leader Fernanda Morales Burstein told DailyMail.com: ‘Replacing any amount of ultra-processed foods in the diet with less processed foods may reduce the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer.’
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