New study/ The alarm is raised, "ultra-processed" foods increase the risk of developing and dying from cancer

Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of cancer and consumer death.

A new international scientific study shows that carbonated drinks, packaged bread, ready meals and cereals have a link with cancer in citizens.

The study states that often such products are relatively cheap, convenient to consume and promoted through strong marketing. At the same time, however, they usually have a higher amount of salt, fat, sugar, artificial additives and other substances. Other studies have linked these foods to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more.

Researchers from the School of Public Health of Imperial College London, in collaboration with scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the universities of São Paulo (Brazil) and Nova Lisbon (Portugal), who made the corresponding publication in the medical journal eClinical Medicine , analyzed data on about 198,000 people aged 40-69 whose health was monitored over a decade, specifically in relation to the diagnosis of 34 different types of cancer and the likelihood of dying from them. During the study, about 16,000 people developed cancer and 4,000 died from it.

Lead researcher Dr Esther Vamos from Imperial said: "The new study adds to the growing evidence that highly processed foods are likely to have negative health effects, including increased cancer risk... Other available evidence shows that reducing highly processed foods processed in our country. Diet can provide significant health benefits. Future research should confirm these findings.”

Researcher Dr Kiara Chang, also from Imperial, said: "Highly processed foods are everywhere and are heavily promoted with cheap prices and attractive packaging to increase consumption. This shows that our food environment is in urgent need of reform to protect the population from highly processed foods."

The World Health Organization and the UN's International Food and Agriculture Organization have previously recommended limiting highly processed foods as part of a healthier diet. In some countries such as France, Canada and Brazil, efforts are being made to reduce the consumption of these foods.