The Extent to Which Ultra-Processed Foods Cause Cancer Has Been Identified

Ultra-processed foods undergo extensive processing during production. Examples include soda, breakfast snacks and many packaged tabletop and convenience foods. They are generally inexpensive, easily available and high in fat, sugar, salt and artificial ingredients.

Our interest in natural foods continues to grow. Many of us want to consume foods and drinks in this category simply because they are natural, for ourselves, families and loved ones. Nevertheless, we may knowingly or unknowingly eat ultra-processed foods.

Minimally processed foods undergo very little processing and are fresh or simply cooked. Ultra-processed foods are produced through chemical or physical processes and contain artificial sweeteners, colors, stabilizers or preservatives. Minimally processed foods retain beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while ultra-processed foods generally have low nutritional value and high calories, fat, salt and sugar (for details, see our article Differences between minimally and ultra-processed foods —what are they?).

2 Studies Showing How Much Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Cancer Risk

A French study whose results were published in 2018 supports the idea that ultra-processed foods and drinks increase cancer risk. Among 105.000 people, those eating mainly ultra-processed foods had higher cancer risk than those eating mainly natural foods.

Experts in the study emphasize that a healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent cancer.

Foods considered ultra-processed include:

• Mass-produced packaged bread and pastries,
• Sweet or savory packaged snacks, including chips,
• Sweets such as chocolate, and crackers,
• Carbonated and sugary drinks,
• Ready-made meatballs, poultry and processed frozen fish,
• Instant soups and noodles,
• Frozen ready meals,
• Foods made mostly or entirely from sugar, oils and solid fats.

Previously, processed meats such as salami, ham, sucuk and pastırma were shown to increase cancer risk and be carcinogenic . What about other ultra-processed foods?

Conducted in France with approximately 105 thousand people and published in the British Medical Journal, the study found that a 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption corresponded to a 12% rise in detected cancers.

Looking at the study:

• Ultra-processed foods made up an average of 18% of people’s diets.
• On average, every year per 10.000 people, 79 new cancer cases were detected.
• Increasing processed foods by 10% could cause, per 10.000 people, 9 additional cancers.

A British study whose results were published on 31 January 2023 states that ultra-processed foods increase overall cancer risk and particularly ovarian cancer mortality risk.

Using UK Biobank data from 200.000 middle-aged adults in Britain, this study showed that each 10 percent rise in ultra-processed food intake was associated with a 2% increase in overall cancer incidence (reliable ratio [HR], 1.02), a 19% rise in ovarian cancer incidence (new cases annually) (HR, 1.19), and increased overall, ovarian and breast cancer mortality risks (HR 1.06, 1.30 and 1.16 respectively). 

In conclusion, these two studies suggest that rapidly increasing ultra-processed food consumption may increase cancer cases in coming years. Another important point is that people eating these foods have other cancer-related behaviors: they are more likely to smoke, less active and consume more calories. These factors also promote cancer risk. Nevertheless, ultra-processed foods are likely an independent risk factor themselves. Complete avoidance may be impossible, but minimizing them and adopting healthier habits, including dietary changes, would be appropriate.