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Pizza and soda may increase the risk of ovarian and brain cancer, according to a study


Ultra-processed foods have more additives, artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners and preservatives; the research evaluated the diets of nearly 200,000 adults for ten years

THE WASHINGTON POST – ultra-processed foodssuch as breakfast cereals, frozen pizza, ready meals, and soft drinks, can increase your risk of developing cancerespecially from ovary comes from brainsay researchers at Imperial College London’s School of Public Health.

Many foods undergo a moderate amount of processing, such as cheese, salted peanut butter, pasta sauce, but ultra-processed foods have more additives, artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners and preservatives. They typically undergo processing methods to transform their taste, texture, and appearance, and can include flavored hot dogs, donuts, and yogurts.

Researchers assessed the diets of nearly 200,000 middle-aged adults over a ten-year period in the UK and found that ‘higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk of cancer overall, particularly cancer to the ovaries and the brain”. They also found an association with an increased risk of dying from cancer.

The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicineFrom handTuesday 31, was a collaboration with researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the University of São Paulo (USP) and the NOVA University of Lisbon.

Of the 197,426 subjects, 15,921 people developed cancer and 4,009 cancer-related deaths occurred.

“For every 10% increase in ultra-processed foods in a person’s diet, there was a 2% increase in the incidence of cancer overall and a 19% increase in ovarian cancer specifically,” he said. Imperial College London in a note. These links remained after adjusting for socioeconomic factors such as smoking, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI).

It is unclear why there has been a particularly large increase in the incidence of ovarian cancer. However, separate research has found an association between the disease and acrylamide, an industrial chemical formed during high-temperature cooking procedures.

“Some potentially carcinogenic agents, such as some controversial food additives and chemicals generated during processing, can interfere with hormonal effects and thus affect hormone-related cancers such as ovarian cancer,” said Eszter Vamos, senior author of the study by e -mail.

More studies are needed to determine the impact on women and children, she said, as the latter tend to be the “top consumers of ultra-processed foods.”

According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer ranks fifth among cancer deaths among women in the United States, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Cancer develops primarily in older women and is more common in white women than in black women.

Nearly 60% of the calories consumed by adults in the United States come from ultra-processed foods, which are often low in nutritional value. They account for 25% to 50% of calories consumed in many other countries as well, including England, Canada, France, Lebanon and Japan.

According to Eszter, the observational study “cannot definitively prove cause and effect,” showing only an association between food and increased cancer risk. However, the study argues, the findings indicate the importance of factoring food processing into diets.

“Ultra-processed foods are ubiquitous and highly marketed with affordable prices and attractive packaging,” study author Kiara Chang said in a statement. “It demonstrates that our food environment needs urgent reforms to protect the population.”

Chang called for better food labeling and packaging to make consumers aware of the risks of their choices, as well as subsidies for freshly prepared foods to ensure they remain affordable.

Other studies have shown a link between ultra-processed foods and higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. A recent study of more than 22,000 people found that those who ate a lot of ultra-processed foods were 19 percent more likely to die prematurely and had a 32 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease.

“There has been a global advance of ultra-processed foods, and these products are increasingly replacing traditional foods in our diet,” said Eszter. “In general, high-income countries have the highest levels of consumption, with the US and UK being the main consumers.”



Studies have shown a link between ultra-processed foods and higher rates of obesity

OR Brazil has banned the marketing of ultra-processed foods in schools, while France and Canada have pushed to limit these foods in their national dietary guidelines.

Panagiota Mitrou, director of research and innovation at the World Cancer Research Fund, which helped fund the study, said in an email that the findings are “significant” and should encourage people to limit consumption of fast food. food and “other processed foods that are high in fat, starch, or sugar.”

“For maximum benefit, we also recommend including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes in your regular diet,” she added.

Source: Terra

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