A study has found that ultra-processed foods (UPF) are associated\nwith an increased risk of prostate cancer in men. According to the\nresearch, men who consumed the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods\nhad a prostate cancer risk up to 34 per cent higher than those who\nconsumed less.<\/p>\n
The findings were published in the American Journal of Medicine.\nSenior researcher and professor of medicine and preventive medicine at\nFlorida Atlantic University, Dr Charles Hennekens, said the results show\na significant association between UPF consumption and prostate cancer\nrisk among adult men in the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmong adult men in a nationally representative United States\npopulation, those who consumed higher amounts of UPF had a significantly\nhigher risk of later developing prostate cancer,\u201d Hennekens said, as\nreported by US News on Monday (17\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
He said the findings add to evidence of the harmful health effects of\nultra-processed foods. However, he stressed the need for large-scale\nobservational studies and randomised clinical trials to test the\nassociation more robustly.<\/p>\n
Ultra-processed foods are food products generally made through\nvarious industrial processes and containing a range of additives. These\nadditives may be used to enhance flavour, appearance, texture, or shelf\nlife. Common additives include colourings, preservatives, flavourings,\nand others. Such products also tend to have lower nutritional value than\nminimally processed foods.<\/p>\n
Examples of ultra-processed foods include packaged breads and snacks,\nhigh-sugar cereals, ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat meals, and processed\nmeats such as hot dogs. In the United States, industrially produced\nfoods are estimated to account for about 60 per cent of adults\u2019 energy\nintake and 70 per cent of children\u2019s diets.<\/p>\n
In the latest study, researchers analysed data from more than 17,000\nAmerican men aged 18 and over who participated in national health and\nnutrition surveys between 2003 and 2023. The researchers used 24-hour\ndietary recall records to estimate how many daily calories participants\nobtained from ultra-processed foods.<\/p>\n
Participants were then monitored to see whether they later developed\nprostate cancer. The analysis showed that the group of men with the\nhighest consumption of ultra-processed foods had a prostate cancer risk\n24 per cent to 34 per cent greater than the group with lower\nconsumption.<\/p>\n
However, the findings show an association, not proof that\nultra-processed foods directly cause prostate cancer.<\/p>\n
Researchers acknowledged that reducing consumption of ultra-processed\nfoods is a public health challenge. Timothy De Ver Dye, a researcher and\nchair of the Department of Population Health at Florida Atlantic\nUniversity, said UPF products are already widely available and easy to\nobtain.<\/p>\n
\u201cReducing UPF consumption is a complex public health challenge,\nespecially because these products are so common and easily accessible,\u201d\nDye said.<\/p>\n
He also noted that healthy food choices are not always easy for\neveryone. Many patients face barriers in obtaining and purchasing\nhealthier foods.<\/p>\n
Therefore, according to Dye, the solution cannot rely solely on\nasking people to change their individual food choices. Broader efforts\nare also needed to improve access to nutritious, minimally processed\nfoods.<\/p>\n
\u201cAddressing this challenge requires efforts that go beyond individual\nchoice, namely by supporting wider access to nutritious foods that are\nminimally processed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hennekens added that the research findings could be part of broader\nefforts to promote healthy lifestyles. He suggested that healthcare\nprofessionals encourage patients to adopt healthy habits and\nevidence-based therapies, while helping them reduce consumption of\nultra-processed foods.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth patients and healthcare providers need to view these findings\nas part of broader efforts to promote healthier dietary choices,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ultra-processed-foods-linked-to-increased-prostate-cancer-risk-1786981926", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }