Eating highly processed foods increases cancer risk: Study

PARIS: A research has shown that people who consume processed foods such as oily foods, sweets and desserts, and soft drinks are at high risk of deadly diseases like cancer.

A medical study conducted at Sorbonne University, France stated that foods packaged with chemicals are not the same as home-made foods and the more people eat them, the higher their risk of any type of cancer.

The study further said that the possible reason for this is that such foods as meat, sweets, and chips are high in fat, salt, and sugar, while they are low in vitamins and fibre which provide protection against diseases.

The researchers said this was the first study to shed light on the link between ultra-processed foods and cancer risk. Moreover, less processed foods included canned vegetables, cheeses, and freshly made unpackaged bread.

Every 10 percent increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 12 percent higher risk for cancer in general and an 11 percent increased risk for breast cancer. No significant link was found to the prostate or colorectal cancer.

The study does not prove that ultra-processed foods cause cancer, but researchers say the cumulative effects of food additives remain largely unknown.