Interest has grown in the potential health effects of ultra-processed foods, which now contribute substantially to daily energy intake among US adults. However, ultra-processed foods encompass a wide range of products, including some that contain dietary components linked to lower colorectal cancer risk and others associated with higher risk, making their overall relationship with colorectal cancer difficult to interpret. In this study, Leila Abar and colleagues examine associations between ultra-processed food intake and colorectal cancer incidence in a large prospective cohort, finding no overall association and suggesting that the nutritional composition of these foods may be more relevant than their level of processing alone.
Image Credit: Disiana Caballero, Unsplash
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