Diet rich in ultra-transformed food linked to a greater risk of lung cancer

In the United States, Ultra-transformed foods are everywhere—Prepied easily in local grocery stores and restaurants, they represent around 55% of people’s diets. Now new research reveals that these foods can also put people higher risk of lung cancer.

The study, published on July 29 Thoraxnew Lung cancer cases were more common in people whose regular regimes were Rich in ultra -processed foods (UPFS) Like soft drinks, hot dogs and breakfast cereals. But the rate of new lung cancers was much lower in those who rarely ate these foods.

Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer death in the United States, and the majority of cases are caused by smoking. However, researchers have already linked air pollution, secondary smoke, radon and asbestos to the disease – and it is possible that diet also plays a role.

If you eat up more, you might be miss on Protective advantages of healthier food cancer, The researchers explained.

Foods that fall under the UPF umbrella is generally highly made. They contain small fractions of whole foods, additives and chemical modifications, and have lists of ingredients that contain Things that you would not normally use in your kitchen.

UPFs are not intrinsically bad for you – the type, houmous and whole grain bread are for example.

But in general, these foods tend to be Easy to eat and rich in calories, filled with large quantities of Salt, fats and sweeteners. They are also often low in dietary fiber and do not contain many whole foods.

There are thousands of examples of UPF, but this new study on the incidence of lung cancer called a range of common food You can very well have in your kitchen: hot dogs, pizzas, burgers purchased in stores, soft drinks, sweet fruit drinks, instant noodles, breakfast cereals, breads, pastries and pastries, candies, sauces and soups purchased in stores, cream cheese, salty snacks, ice cream and margarine.

And the UPFs were linked to more than one dozen different health problems, Including cancer, the mortality of all causes, bad sleep, anxiety, depression, heart disease and obesity.

Knowing that the UPFs were linked to poor health, the researchers wanted to see if food could also be associated with the development of lung cancer.

They used data from the prostate cancer testing, lungs, colorectal and ovary (PLCO), which includes participants ranging from 55 to 74 years.

There were nearly 102,000 participants who fulfilled a single food questionnaire, which researchers used to estimate their UPF consumption. About Three UPF portions per day were average, While 0.5 portions and six portions were the low and high ends respectively.

Based on their average UPF consumption, participants were then divided into four groups.

About one in 10 participants said they had eaten Lunch meat, By making the most common UPF. Diet caffeinated and decaffeinated sodas were near behind (about 7% of people said they were drinking one).

In about 12 years, 1,706 participants have developed lung cancer. In accordance with national trends, the majority of these cases were lung cancer with small cells, while 14% were small cell lung cancer (faster cancer).

After examining the data and counted external factors, the researchers found that the group which consumed the most upfs were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer that the participants who consumed the fewest upfs.

More specifically, this superior group had a 37% greater chance to receive a diagnosis of lung cancer not with small cells and a 44% Higher risk of lung cancer with small cells. The risk was higher for non-smokers and smokers.

Previous research has shown that UPF consumption is associated with a greater risk of pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer – horns cancer can also be added to this list.

But the The link between the UPFS and the cancer “remains at the start of its evolution”, ” said Tim Rebbeck, PHD, Vincent L. Gregory, Cancer Prevention Professor at Harvard Th Chan School of Public Health and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Additional research is necessary.

However, Rebbeck said Healththe results could be more proof than What we eat could contribute to our risk of cancer.

Our bodies have been designed to metabolize natural and whole foods, but it cannot necessarily be said for Upfs, explained Zhaoping Li, MD, PHD, chief of the clinical nutrition division at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

The idea is that highly processed foods rich in preservatives could cause inflammation and other negative impacts in a way that a apple does not do, for example.

“We still don’t know what the mechanisms [for lung cancer risk] could be, but Systemic inflammation may act in one way or another, “ Rebbeck added.

This last study cannot definitively answer this question – and there were others boundariesAlso. More specifically, research was observational, food information was collected in an investigation (only once), the number of lung cancer diagnoses was low and the research team did not take into account the intensity of smoking.

“They tried to correct many factors, but the very low UPF effect on the risk of lung cancer does not exclude the possibility that certain biases remain,” said Rebbeck.

Even if many questions remain, Rebbeck said that this research was “encouraging” because it suggests that Limiting UPF in our diet could “decrease the risk of cancer”.

It is important to remember that UPFs do not seem to be a risk factor in lung cancer that smoking, Li says Health– This is the most crucial thing that people should change if they want to reduce their risk.

But focus on the quality of your diet is also a good idea. It is probably not possible for Nix Upfs completely, but Balance is the key“Don cannot load ultra-transformed food for three meals,” said Li.

If you are going to have cereals for breakfast, for example, jump the burger and cold meat beyond at lunchtime. Instead, opt for salads, cooked vegetables, fish or chicken, she said.

Cooking with whole foods can be Less practical, but it is worth it. For her breakfast, Li said that she had taken a little extra time to make an omelet with cauliflower and leftover chicken, rather than pouring a bowl of Cornflakes.

“We already know that eating a diet rich in little -processed food, vegetables, fruits, cereals, reduces the risk of cancer,” added Rebbeck. “While we learn the role of the UPF in cancer, the message will probably remain the same –Eat a balanced, less treated, vegetable and nutrient diet. »»