1
|
Meine GC, Picon RV, Espírito Santo PA, Sander GB. Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Gastroenterol 2024; 119:1056-1065. [PMID: 38832708 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake has been associated with a higher risk of obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The initial data on the relationship between UPF consumption and cancer risk were derived from retrospective observational studies with conflicting results. This systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies aimed to investigate the association between UPF consumption and gastrointestinal cancer risk. METHODS PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for prospective cohort studies that compared the highest vs the lowest level of UPF consumption according to NOVA food classification and reported the risk of gastrointestinal cancers by subsite. The association with cancer was quantified as hazard ratios (HR) using a random-effects model. RESULTS Five prospective cohort studies were included in this review comprising 1,128,243 participants (241,201 participants in the highest and 223,366 in the lowest levels of UPF consumption). The mean follow-up ranged from 5.4 to 28 years. The highest UPF consumption was significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (HR 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.21; P = 0.01; I2 = 31%), colon cancer (HR 1.12; 95% CI 1.02-1.23; P = 0.02; I2 = 0%), and non-cardia gastric cancer (HR 1.43; 95% CI 1.02-2.00; P = 0.04; I2 = 0%) compared with the lowest UPF intake. However, no association was found between high UPF consumption and hepatocellular, esophageal, pancreatic, gastric cardia, and rectal cancer. DISCUSSION The highest level of UPF consumption was significantly associated with colorectal and non-cardia gastric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilmara Coelho Meine
- Program of Graduate Science in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Veiga Picon
- Program of Graduate Science in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme Becker Sander
- Program of Graduate Science in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dai S, Wellens J, Yang N, Li D, Wang J, Wang L, Yuan S, He Y, Song P, Munger R, Kent MP, MacFarlane AJ, Mullie P, Duthie S, Little J, Theodoratou E, Li X. Ultra-processed foods and human health: An umbrella review and updated meta-analyses of observational evidence. Clin Nutr 2024; 43:1386-1394. [PMID: 38688162 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake has increased sharply over the last few decades and has been consistently asserted to be implicated in the development of non-communicable diseases. We aimed to evaluate and update the existing observational evidence for associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and human health. METHODS We searched Medline and Embase from inception to March 2023 to identify and update meta-analyses of observational studies examining the associations between UPF consumption, as defined by the NOVA classification, and a wide spectrum of health outcomes. For each health outcome, we estimated the summary effect size, 95% confidence interval (CI), between-study heterogeneity, evidence of small-study effects, and evidence of excess-significance bias. These metrics were used to evaluate evidence credibility of the identified associations. RESULTS This umbrella review identified 39 meta-analyses on the associations between UPF consumption and health outcomes. We updated all meta-analyses by including 122 individual articles on 49 unique health outcomes. The majority of the included studies divided UPF consumption into quartiles, with the lowest quartile being the reference group. We identified 25 health outcomes associated with UPF consumption. For observational studies, 2 health outcomes, including renal function decline (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.33) and wheezing in children and adolescents (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.34, 1.49), showed convincing evidence (Class I); and five outcomes were reported with highly suggestive evidence (Class II), including diabetes mellitus, overweight, obesity, depression, and common mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS High UPF consumption is associated with an increased risk of a variety of chronic diseases and mental health disorders. At present, not a single study reported an association between UPF intake and a beneficial health outcome. These findings suggest that dietary patterns with low consumption of UPFs may render broad public health benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhui Dai
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Judith Wellens
- Translational Gastro-Intestinal Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK; KU Leuven Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nan Yang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Doudou Li
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yazhou He
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peige Song
- School of Public Health and Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ron Munger
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Patrick Mullie
- International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France; Belgian Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan Duthie
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Julian Little
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evropi Theodoratou
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Prescott SL, Logan AC, D’Adamo CR, Holton KF, Lowry CA, Marks J, Moodie R, Poland B. Nutritional Criminology: Why the Emerging Research on Ultra-Processed Food Matters to Health and Justice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:120. [PMID: 38397611 PMCID: PMC10888116 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
There is mounting concern over the potential harms associated with ultra-processed foods, including poor mental health and antisocial behavior. Cutting-edge research provides an enhanced understanding of biophysiological mechanisms, including microbiome pathways, and invites a historical reexamination of earlier work that investigated the relationship between nutrition and criminal behavior. Here, in this perspective article, we explore how this emergent research casts new light and greater significance on previous key observations. Despite expanding interest in the field dubbed 'nutritional psychiatry', there has been relatively little attention paid to its relevancy within criminology and the criminal justice system. Since public health practitioners, allied mental health professionals, and policymakers play key roles throughout criminal justice systems, a holistic perspective on both historical and emergent research is critical. While there are many questions to be resolved, the available evidence suggests that nutrition might be an underappreciated factor in prevention and treatment along the criminal justice spectrum. The intersection of nutrition and biopsychosocial health requires transdisciplinary discussions of power structures, industry influence, and marketing issues associated with widespread food and social inequalities. Some of these discussions are already occurring under the banner of 'food crime'. Given the vast societal implications, it is our contention that the subject of nutrition in the multidisciplinary field of criminology-referred to here as nutritional criminology-deserves increased scrutiny. Through combining historical findings and cutting-edge research, we aim to increase awareness of this topic among the broad readership of the journal, with the hopes of generating new hypotheses and collaborations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Alan C. Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
| | - Christopher R. D’Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kathleen F. Holton
- Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA;
| | - John Marks
- Department of Criminal Justice, Louisiana State University of Alexandria, Alexandria, LA 71302, USA;
| | - Rob Moodie
- School of Population and Global Health (MSPGH), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Blake Poland
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5R 0A3, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Logan AC, D'Adamo CR, Pizzorno JE, Prescott SL. "Food faddists and pseudoscientists!": Reflections on the history of resistance to ultra-processed foods. Explore (NY) 2023:S1550-8307(23)00284-7. [PMID: 38176973 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The term 'ultra-processed food' emerged in the 1980s, mostly used in reference to highly-processed convenience foods and snacks, often energy-dense, poor in nutrients, and inclusive of various synthetic additives such as emulsifiers, colors, artificial sweeteners, and/or flavor enhancers. Concern over such foods was part of the growing holistic and environmental health movements of the 1970-80s; yet, those who raised alarm about the encroachment of ultra-processed foods were often labeled, especially by industry and their powerful allies, as 'food faddists' and 'pseudoscientists'. Today, the topic of ultra-processed foods is generating massive personal, public, and planetary health interest. However, other than discussing the history of the NOVA food classification system, a useful tool that has allowed researchers to more accurately separate foods based on processing, most lay media and academic articles are ahistorical. That is, there is a tendency to present the term ultra-processed food(s) as a relatively new entrance into the lexicon, and by default, the idea that health-related pushback on ultra-processed foods is a relatively new phenomenon. This omission overlooks decades of determined advocacy and clinical work, much of it by pioneers within the holistic medicine (now integrative, functional, and lifestyle medicine) movement. Here in this reflection paper, the authors will use historical research and reporting to fill in the historical gap and articulate the saliency of why it matters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
| | - Christopher R D'Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | | | - Susan L Prescott
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gangopadhyay A. Ultraprocessed Foods and Cancer in Low-Middle-Income Countries. Nutr Cancer 2023; 75:1863-1873. [PMID: 37873656 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2023.2272814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Low middle income countries (LMICs) are the predominant contributors to global cancer-related mortality and are projected to bear the greater share of the global cancer burden in the next few decades. Among other factors, lifestyle changes have been linked to the rising incidence of cancer in these countries. As one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet plays a major role in the preservation of health. Globalization and rapid urbanization have prompted a paradigm shift in various aspects of daily life in LMICs; the influence on dietary choices has been particularly noticeable. Studies show a concerning rise in the sale and consumption of ultraprocessed foods in these countries. In addition to hyperpalatability, this trend has been attributed to various other factors including convenience, availability, economic considerations, and marketing strategies. Although several studies from LMICs recognize and recommend the need for effective public health measures to reduce the consumption of these foods, findings from certain studies suggest that established public health strategies occasionally fail in the real-world scenario. Barriers to effective policymaking also contribute to the prevailing dietary trends. This review of studies from the LMIC setting demonstrates the current problem, limitations of established public health measures, and the complexities associated with effective policymaking. In view of the threat posed to cancer risk, there is an urgent need to curb the consumption of ultraprocessed foods in LMICs. National policymakers therefore need to circumnavigate the challenges effectively to ensure timely achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals.
Collapse
|
6
|
Esposito S, Ruggiero E, Di Castelnuovo A, Costanzo S, Bonaccio M, Bracone F, Esposito V, Innocenzi G, Paolini S, Cerletti C, Donati MB, de Gaetano G, Iacoviello L, Gialluisi A. Identifying brain tumor patients' subtypes based on pre-diagnostic history and clinical characteristics: a pilot hierarchical clustering and association analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1276253. [PMID: 38146510 PMCID: PMC10749422 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1276253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are severe health conditions with increasing incidence in the last years. Different biological, environmental and clinical factors are thought to have an important role in their epidemiology, which however remains unclear. Objective The aim of this pilot study was to identify CNS tumor patients' subtypes based on this information and to test associations with tumor malignancy. Methods 90 patients with suspected diagnosis of CNS tumor were recruited by the Neurosurgery Unit of IRCCS Neuromed. Patients underwent anamnestic and clinical assessment, to ascertain known or suspected risk factors including lifestyle, socioeconomic, clinical and psychometric characteristics. We applied a hierarchical clustering analysis to these exposures to identify potential groups of patients with a similar risk pattern and tested whether these clusters associated with brain tumor malignancy. Results Out of 67 patients with a confirmed CNS tumor diagnosis, we identified 28 non-malignant and 39 malignant tumor cases. These subtypes showed significant differences in terms of gender (with men more frequently presenting a diagnosis of cancer; p = 6.0 ×10-3) and yearly household income (with non-malignant tumor patients more frequently earning ≥25k Euros/year; p = 3.4×10-3). Cluster analysis revealed the presence of two clusters of patients: one (N=41) with more professionally active, educated, wealthier and healthier patients, and the other one with mostly retired and less healthy men, with a higher frequency of smokers, personal history of cardiovascular disease and cancer familiarity, a mostly sedentary lifestyle and generally lower income, education and cognitive performance. The former cluster showed a protective association with the malignancy of the disease, with a 74 (14-93) % reduction in the prevalent risk of CNS malignant tumors, compared to the other cluster (p=0.026). Discussion These preliminary data suggest that patients' profiling through unsupervised machine learning approaches may somehow help predicting the risk of being affected by a malignant form. If confirmed by further analyses in larger independent cohorts, these findings may be useful to create potential intelligent ranking systems for treatment priority, overcoming the lack of histopathological information and molecular diagnosis of the tumor, which are typically not available until the time of surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Esposito
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Emilia Ruggiero
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | - Simona Costanzo
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Bracone
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | | | - Sergio Paolini
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Chiara Cerletti
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | | | - Licia Iacoviello
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Libera Università Mediterranea (LUM) “Giuseppe Degennaro”, Casamassima (Bari), Italy
| | - Alessandro Gialluisi
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Libera Università Mediterranea (LUM) “Giuseppe Degennaro”, Casamassima (Bari), Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Prescott SL, D’Adamo CR, Holton KF, Ortiz S, Overby N, Logan AC. Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and Planet. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6461. [PMID: 37569002 PMCID: PMC10419141 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Global food systems are a central issue for personal and planetary health in the Anthropocene. One aspect of major concern is the dramatic global spread of ultra-processed convenience foods in the last 75 years, which is linked with the rising human burden of disease and growing sustainability and environmental health challenges. However, there are also calls to radically transform global food systems, from animal to plant-derived protein sources, which may have unintended consequences. Commercial entities have moved toward this "great plant transition" with vigor. Whether motivated by profit or genuine environmental concern, this effort has facilitated the emergence of novel ultra-processed "plant-based" commercial products devoid of nutrients and fiber, and sometimes inclusive of high sugar, industrial fats, and synthetic additives. These and other ingredients combined into "plant-based" foods are often assumed to be healthy and lower in calorie content. However, the available evidence indicates that many of these products can potentially compromise health at all scales-of people, places, and planet. In this viewpoint, we summarize and reflect on the evidence and discussions presented at the Nova Network planetary health meeting on the "Future of Food", which had a particular focus on the encroachment of ultra-processed foods into the global food supply, including the plant-sourced animal protein alternatives (and the collective of ingredients therein) that are finding their way into global fast-food chains. We contend that while there has been much uncritical media attention given to the environmental impact of protein and macronutrient sources-meat vs. novel soy/pea protein burgers, etc.-the impact of the heavy industrial processing on both human and environmental health is significant but often overlooked, including effects on cognition and mental health. This calls for a more nuanced discourse that considers these complexities and refocuses priorities and value systems towards mutualistic solutions, with co-benefits for individuals, local communities, and global ecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Christopher R. D’Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kathleen F. Holton
- Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Selena Ortiz
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Nina Overby
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Centre for Lifecourse Nutrition, University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway;
| | - Alan C. Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lian Y, Wang GP, Chen GQ, Chen HN, Zhang GY. Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1175994. [PMID: 37360305 PMCID: PMC10285062 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1175994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite increasing evidence that has shown the association of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive. We, therefore, conducted the meta-analysis to clarify the association by including recently published studies. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify all relevant studies from inception to January 2023. To pool data, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used where appropriate. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias tests were performed. Results A total of 13 studies (4 cohort studies and 9 case-control studies) were included in the analysis, with a total of 625,738 participants. The highest UPFs consumption was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10-1.38), colon cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.14-1.36), and breast cancer (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00-1.20) but not rectal cancer (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.97-1.43) and prostate cancer (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.93-1.12). In addition, the subgroup analyses showed that a positive association between UPFs consumption and colorectal cancer was observed among men (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.15-1.50), whereas no significant association was observed among women (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.94-1.29). Conclusion The present meta-analysis suggests that high UPFs consumption is associated with a significantly increased risk of certain site-specific cancers, especially the digestive tract and some hormone-related cancers. However, further rigorously designed prospective and experimental studies are needed to better understand causal pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lian
- Department of Health Management and Engineering Laboratory for Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Medical Record Management and Statistics, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Gang-Pu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth People's Hospital of Jinan City, Jinan, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- Department of Health Management and Engineering Laboratory for Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Medical Record Management and Statistics, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hua-Nan Chen
- Department of Health Management and Engineering Laboratory for Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Medical Record Management and Statistics, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Guang-Yong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Isaksen IM, Dankel SN. Ultra-processed food consumption and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr 2023; 42:919-928. [PMID: 37087831 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have become a staple of the diet in many countries, concomitant with increases in non-communicable diseases including cancer. AIM The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate associations between the consumption of UPF and cancer risk. METHODS A systematic literature search for observational studies investigating the association between cancer risk and UPF consumption, determined by the NOVA classification system, was performed. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Independent review and risk of bias assessment was performed independently by the authors using the National Institutes of Health's Study Quality Assessment Tools. RESULTS Eleven reports were identified, including eight retrospective case-control studies and three prospective cohorts. The outcome was risk of total cancer and/or one or more of the following cancers: colorectal, breast, prostate, pancreatic, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and central nervous system tumors. Nine studies reported a significant positive association between UPF intake and all the assessed cancers except prostate, after adjustment for confounding factors including obesity and total energy intake. A 10% increment in the diet's proportion of UPF was associated with increased risk of overall cancer (HR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.18) and breast cancer (HR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.21). In addition, a high intake of UPF was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (ORT3 vs. T1 = 1.30, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.51) and pancreatic cancer (HRQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.49, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.07). More modest associations were found for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and central nervous system tumors. Common limitations of several of the studies included no prior assessment of diet before known diagnosis (the case-control studies), higher participation rates among cases, and likely misclassification of several foods as UPF or non-UPF. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the available suggestive evidence shows a consistent significant association between intake of UPF and the risk of overall and several cancers, including colorectal-, breast- and pancreatic cancer. These data may inform updated dietary guidelines, policy makers and the public towards improving public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irja Minde Isaksen
- Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Simon Nitter Dankel
- Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway; Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|