Every 10 percent dietary increase in packaged snacks, fizzy drinks, sugary cereals and other highly processed foods boosts the risk for cancer by 12 percent, new research suggests. Breast cancer, in particular, was associated with greater consumption of mass-produced, ultra-processed foods, according to the study. While these foods may taste great, they're often loaded with sugar, salt and fat. They also lack vitamins, fiber and other nutritional value. But nutritional value might not explain the observed heightened cancer risk, the French researchers said.
In several developed countries, ultra-processed foods may make up as much as 50 percent of the daily diet, the researchers noted. This includes convenience foods, such as mass-produced baked breads and buns, snacks and cookies -- plus those staples of modern-day childhood, chicken nuggets and fish sticks, Srour said. Also on the list: instant soups, frozen or ready-to-eat meals, commercially made desserts and products processed with preservatives other than salt -- for example, nitrites. Many of these items also contain hydrogenated oils, modified starches, colorants, emulsifiers, texturizers, sweeteners and other additives.
Courtesy: webmd.com/
