In a recent study published in Nutrients , researchers investigated the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and other causes of mortality in Southern Italy. Their findings indicate that higher UPF intake is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and GI cancer mortality, emphasizing the need for dietary interventions. Study: Ultra-Processed Food Consumption as a Risk Factor for Gastrointestinal Cancer and Other Causes of Mortality in Southern Italy: A Competing Risk Approach .
Image Credit: beauty-box/Shutterstock.com Previous research has identified chronic diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease as leading drivers of mortality worldwide, with diet being a significant modifiable factor for prevention. UPFs now make up between 30% and 50% of daily caloric intakes globally, increasing even in Mediterranean regions traditionally known for healthier diets.
The Nova classification highlights the industrially manufactured nature of UPFs, often with deconstructed food components and additives, and high in sugars and fats but lacking in nutrients. Studies have linked UPF consumption to various health risks, including gut dysbiosis and increased cancer risk, particularly colorectal cancer. Despite these findings, gaps remain in understanding the impact of UPF consumption on mortality from all causes and GI cancers.
This study aimed to address existing research gaps by investigating .