Scientists warn ultra-processed foods are fueling youth colorectal cancer

The rising consumption of ultra-processed foods among youth is strongly linked to a significant surge in colorectal cancer cases, warned researchers.

The study, published in the highly acclaimed journal JAMA Oncology, does not prove that ultra-processed foods cause cancer, but it certainly provides some clues on how diet could affect health risk.

The study found that women’s ultra-processed food intake was dominated by items like breads, breakfast, spreads, sauces, and sweetened beverages such as sodas.

Colorectal cancers, once thought to be diseases of old age, are now being diagnosed more frequently in people under 50.

Most of these patients are diagnosed at a later stage and have lower survival outcomes, triggering researchers to take a closer look at how our eating habits may affect our health.

For the latest study, researchers examined the diets and endoscopy results of more than 29,000 women in the United States.

They had access to more than two decades of health data, which allows them to track the long-term outcomes for these women.