Ultraprocessed Foods Tied to Higher Risk for CRC, Death From Heart Disease
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Two large observational studies published in The BMJ this week highlight the dangers of a diet rich in ultraprocessed foods (UPFs). The first links the diet to an increased risk for colorectal cancer; the second shows a heightened risk for death from heart disease or any cause over a 14-year period. UPFs are highly manipulated and packed with added ingredients, including sugar, fat, and salt, and are low in protein and fiber. They include soft drinks, chips, chocolate, candy, ice cream, sweetened breakfast cereals, packaged soups, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, french fries, and many more.
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@wawr In Cox proportional models adjusted for confounding factors, men with the highest UPF intake had a 29% higher risk for CRC than men with the lowest UPF consumption. This association was limited to distal colon cancer, with a 72% increased risk. Among subgroups of UPFs, a higher intake of meat/poultry/seafood-based, ready-to-eat products and sugary drinks were associated with increased risk for CRC among men.