Ultra-processed Foods Linked to Increased Prostate Cancer Risk
A study has found that ultra-processed foods (UPF) are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in men. According to the research, men who consumed the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods had a prostate cancer risk up to 34 per cent higher than those who consumed less.
The findings were published in the American Journal of Medicine. Senior researcher and professor of medicine and preventive medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Dr Charles Hennekens, said the results show a significant association between UPF consumption and prostate cancer risk among adult men in the United States.
“Among adult men in a nationally representative United States population, those who consumed higher amounts of UPF had a significantly higher risk of later developing prostate cancer,” Hennekens said, as reported by US News on Monday (17/8/2026).
He said the findings add to evidence of the harmful health effects of ultra-processed foods. However, he stressed the need for large-scale observational studies and randomised clinical trials to test the association more robustly.
Ultra-processed foods are food products generally made through various industrial processes and containing a range of additives. These additives may be used to enhance flavour, appearance, texture, or shelf life. Common additives include colourings, preservatives, flavourings, and others. Such products also tend to have lower nutritional value than minimally processed foods.
Examples of ultra-processed foods include packaged breads and snacks, high-sugar cereals, ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat meals, and processed meats such as hot dogs. In the United States, industrially produced foods are estimated to account for about 60 per cent of adults’ energy intake and 70 per cent of children’s diets.
In the latest study, researchers analysed data from more than 17,000 American men aged 18 and over who participated in national health and nutrition surveys between 2003 and 2023. The researchers used 24-hour dietary recall records to estimate how many daily calories participants obtained from ultra-processed foods.
Participants were then monitored to see whether they later developed prostate cancer. The analysis showed that the group of men with the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods had a prostate cancer risk 24 per cent to 34 per cent greater than the group with lower consumption.
However, the findings show an association, not proof that ultra-processed foods directly cause prostate cancer.
Researchers acknowledged that reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods is a public health challenge. Timothy De Ver Dye, a researcher and chair of the Department of Population Health at Florida Atlantic University, said UPF products are already widely available and easy to obtain.
“Reducing UPF consumption is a complex public health challenge, especially because these products are so common and easily accessible,” Dye said.
He also noted that healthy food choices are not always easy for everyone. Many patients face barriers in obtaining and purchasing healthier foods.
Therefore, according to Dye, the solution cannot rely solely on asking people to change their individual food choices. Broader efforts are also needed to improve access to nutritious, minimally processed foods.
“Addressing this challenge requires efforts that go beyond individual choice, namely by supporting wider access to nutritious foods that are minimally processed.”
Hennekens added that the research findings could be part of broader efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. He suggested that healthcare professionals encourage patients to adopt healthy habits and evidence-based therapies, while helping them reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods.
“Both patients and healthcare providers need to view these findings as part of broader efforts to promote healthier dietary choices,” he said.