According to a VNA reporter in Ottawa, a recent study shows that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is linked to the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer.
Ultra-processed foods are ready-to-eat or processed foods that often contain high levels of sugar, salt, saturated fat, and food additives to keep them storable and usable, such as mass-produced breads, breakfast cereals, and instant soups.
The rise in colorectal cancer rates among people in their 20s, 30s and 40s in some countries goes far beyond what can be attributed to genetics alone, scientists say. This has prompted medical researchers to look closely at lifestyle factors, such as changes in diet, weight, physical activity levels, alcohol consumption, etc.
A 24-year study of nearly 30,000 women in the Harvard-led Nurses' Health Study II found that those who ate the most ultra-processed foods were 1.45 times more likely to develop colon polyps - a pre-cancerous lesion - than those who consumed the least. Participants completed self-administered food questionnaires every four years.
There seems to be a growing body of evidence that suggests there is good reason to consider limiting consumption of ultra-processed foods, said lead author Dr. Andrew Chan, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts Brigham and Women's Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. The risks identified from eating ultra-processed foods are on par with those from obesity or lack of physical activity, he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shady Ashamlla - a surgical oncologist at Sunnybrook's Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto (Canada) - said limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods is essential to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Nutritionist Russell de Souza, associate professor and researcher at the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University (Canada), gives similar advice. According to him, ultra-processed foods are often high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, but low in nutrients. These foods can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and even cancer.
They are made in a way that is easily accessible and increases people's desire to eat them. This nutritionist advises that, whenever possible, choose fresh and whole foods.
Typically, when young people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the disease has already progressed to a fairly advanced stage, added Ashamalla. In contrast, in older people, polyps are often detected before they become advanced cancer.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/an-nhieu-thuc-pham-sieu-che-bien-co-nguy-co-gay-ung-thu-dai-truc-trang-post1076949.vnp
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