Common foods in women’s diaries… and worrying indicators of colon health
The study showed that women who consume high amounts of these foods are more susceptible to developing adenomas, which are non-cancerous polyps that may turn into cancer over time, and they constitute the primary source of most cases of colon cancer.
The study, which was published in a specialized scientific journal, was based on following up more than 29,000 women in the United States over a period of about 25 years. The results showed a 45% increase in the risk of developing early adenomas in women who consumed the most ultra-processed foods compared to those who consumed the least.
According to the data, the average consumption of the highest category was approximately 10 servings per day, compared to only about 3 servings for the lowest category. Researchers believe that this high level is sufficient to cause early changes in the intestine that may later develop into cancer.
These results come at a time when rates of colorectal cancer are witnessing an alarming rise among younger age groups, as there has been an increase of more than 60% among those between the ages of 25 and 49 years since the 1990s.
The researchers emphasized that improving diet quality may be an essential step to reducing this rise, stressing that ultra-processed foods may play a role in disrupting gut health, along with other factors such as lack of physical activity and changes in the intestinal microbiome.
Experts pointed out that the study does not prove a direct causal relationship with cancer, but it provides important evidence on the effect of diet in the early stages of the disease, stressing that prevention begins with reducing dependence on industrial foods and promoting healthy food choices.
(German)
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