Around half the food in the typical diet causes cancer. Processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, breads and prepared meals are making up around half our total calorie intake and are fuelling the rise in cancer cases, new research has discovered.
The researchers were shocked to discover the high levels of processed food in the typical British diet when they analysed data collected from 197,000 participants, aged between 40 and 68.
They discovered that ultra-processed foods—which have been manipulated to extend their shelf life or taste—made up to half the calorie intake of the group, far higher than the 9 percent that earlier studies had observed.
For every 10 percent increase in ultra-processed food in the diet, there is a 2 percent rise in cancer risk, the researchers from Imperial College London estimated, especially of brain and ovarian cancers.
The foods also influence cancer survival; people eating large amounts of ultra-processed food are 6 percent more likely to die from the cancer. Mortality rates from breast and ovarian cancers were particularly affected by the foods, and increased by 16 and 30 percent respectively.
“Ultra-processed foods are produced with industrially-derived ingredients and often use food additives to adjust colour, flavour, consistency, texture or to extend the shelf-life,” researcher Kiara Chang explained.
The foods include processed breads, ready meals, breakfast cereals, treated meat products such as ham and bacon, biscuits and cakes. Healthier options include fresh vegetables and fruit, wholegrains and pulses, and preparing and cooking your own meals from scratch, using fresh ingredients.
Our regular columnist Dr Leigh Erin Connealy joins us for a discussion about cancer—its origins, the best anti-cancer diet, other ways to prevent it, and strategies to support any treatment you’re having.
Since Erin joined the WDDTY team, we’ve been constantly amazed at her breadth of knowledge about the disease that afflicts so many of us.
Not surprisingly, she is one of the most sought-after cancer specialists in the US, and so we are especially privileged that she is finding time in her busy schedule to spend time with us and answer your questions.
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