Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 16: Replacing 10% of ultra-processed food intake with minimally processed foods is associated with a 2% lower incidence of bowel cancer, according to a new analysis of data from more than 460,000 US adults.

The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found no association between total ultra-processed food consumption and bowel cancer incidence. However, the findings suggest that the type of food consumed may be more important than whether it is classified as ultra-processed.

Researchers analysed data from adults aged 50 to 71 who enrolled in the US National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study in 1995-96. Participants were followed for more than 20 years, during which over 10,000 cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed.

The analysis found that higher consumption of reconstituted meat products, such as hotdogs, was associated with increased bowel cancer incidence. In contrast, higher intakes of frozen desserts and milk products, including fruit yoghurt, as well as breakfast cereals and bread, were associated with lower incidence.

The researchers also found that wholegrains, fibre, dairy products and calcium from ultra-processed food sources were associated with lower bowel cancer incidence.

Ultra-processed foods include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant noodles, biscuits, processed meats and ready-to-eat meals. The study used the Nova classification system, which groups foods according to the nature and extent of industrial processing.

The researchers cautioned that the findings show associations and do not establish that particular foods directly cause or prevent bowel cancer. They also noted that dietary questionnaires have limitations and that the results should be interpreted carefully.

The findings highlight the need to consider the nutritional composition of foods rather than treating all ultra-processed products as a single category when assessing cancer risk.

For bowel cancer prevention, the researchers said the findings were consistent with existing dietary guidance that recommends eating more fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and other fibre-rich foods, while limiting red and processed meats and alcohol.