New studies link this type of food to cancer

Many foods have been linked to cancer, but one food group keeps emerging as a risk factor. Processed foods like hot dogs and chips continue to be linked to cancer and have a higher risk of death, according to two new studies.

NBC News reported these findings and showed why these studies are worrisome when applied to the general population.

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The two studies, one in Italy and one in America, followed large groups of people and found consistent results.

In the study conducted in America, specifically on US health workers, which was followed over a period of 24 to 28 years, researchers found that men who ate large amounts of ultra-processed foods had a 29% risk to get colon cancer. And while the participants, who were the largest consumers of ultra-processed foods, got about 80% of their daily caloric intake from this source, the US national average is 57%. Not that extreme, but not that far off.

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Interestingly, the researchers didn’t find the same results when applied to women. One possible theory is the existence of estrogen, which could protect women from these side effects.

Processed and ultra-processed foods are difficult to define, but people generally associate the term with junk food. Ultra-processed foods contain even more chemicals and additives than processed ones, like microwavable meals and packaged candy.

Another interesting finding is the strong link between colon cancer and these types of foods. Researchers believe this is because the stomach lining is the first element that comes into contact with the food.

“Diet likely plays a role in the increases in obesity that we continue to see, and we know that obesity is also associated with colon cancer and other cancers,” said Caroline Um, senior scientist at the American Cancer Society. “We are seeing more and more young adults who are obese [and] Having things related to obesity, like diabetes and metabolic syndrome.”

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We all know processed foods aren’t healthy, but learning how unhealthy they are might be helpful as their effects extend beyond our waistline. They have previously been linked to brain damage, cardiovascular disease and more.

A study conducted in Brazil found that people who got over 20% of their caloric intake from processed foods experienced a faster decline in brain power. Compared to the results of the study, which was conducted on health workers, the evidence is worrying and something that may take decades to recover from.