Two recent studies have revealed how ultra-processed foods can affect health. It has been revealed that ultra-processed foods, which spread to all areas of life, threaten health to a great extent. He found that a fast-food-based diet, also called the Western type, increased the risk of colorectal cancer in one out of every five men. The other study found that additive-packed foods were linked to premature death, particularly from heart disease.
HUNDREDS OF RESEARCHES CONFIRMED
Hundreds of studies have linked processed foods to health risks such as cancer, obesity and premature death. The latest evidence against highly processed foods (a category that includes hot dogs, potato chips, and frozen pizza) shows that consuming too many unhealthy snacks increases the risk of colon and rectal cancer in men, as well as premature death from heart disease.
Two separate research teams analyzed the eating habits of adults in the US and Italy. The US study, published Aug. 31 in the British Medical Journal, specifically examined the relationship between ultra-processed foods and colorectal cancer.
Eating ultra-processed meats has long been linked to bowel cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. The latest study showed that for men, eating other ultra-processed foods may contribute to this risk.
JUICE AND BREAD
Processed foods include everything from fruit juice to store-bought bread, which is packed with added sugar, salt, and preservatives to extend shelf life. These foods may be considered unhealthy due to their high sugar or trans fat content, but overly processed foods have reached another level of malnutrition.
IT ALSO AFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH
Eating too many processed foods is not only linked to an increased risk of premature death, but also to worse mental health, including a greater likelihood of developing anxiety or depression, according to a study published this July in Nutrients.