A new study finds people who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods are more likely to develop adenomas or colon polyps that are often precursors to colon cancer.
A new study may shed light on why colon cancer is rising in younger adults — and it points to what many of us are eating.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 30,000 female nurses who had at least two lower endoscopies – or colon screenings before the age of 50 and filled out multiple dietary surveys over more than two decades.
Their key finding: women who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas, which are colon polyps that can be precursors to early-onset colon cancer.
Ultra-processed foods include ready-to-eat products high in sugar, salt, saturated fat, and additives.
On average, participants ate 5.7 servings a day, about 35% of their total calories. Those eating 10 servings a day had the highest risk.
The link held even after accounting for factors like BMI, type 2 diabetes, and fiber intake.
The researchers found no association between ultra-processed foods and serrated lesions, a slower growing and less common precursor to colon cancer.
The authors say ultra-processed foods don’t fully explain the growing trend but reducing them could be one step toward lowering risk.
Source: JAMA Oncology
Author Affiliations: Mass General Brigham
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