Study Finds Consuming Ultra-Processed Food Increases Cancer Risk

A study published last month in the British Medical Journal found that a 10 percent increase in ultra-processed foods correlated with a 12 percent increase in cancer.

In this study, researchers followed the dietary habits of more than 100,000 adults.  They found associations between ultra-processed food intake and risk of overall cancers, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.¹

What Constitutes Ultra-Processed Food?

While the study blames cakes, chicken nuggets, and mass-produced bread as major culprits, it’s helpful to know how to identify ultra-processed foods. For starters, highly-processed foods typically have five or more ingredients that include substances not commonly found in normal kitchen preparations.

A good rule of thumb: if you can’t pronounce or identify food label ingredients, it means the food item is highly processed. These foods are chocked full of additives, chemicals, flavorings, and emulsifiers designed to mimic real foods.

Some major culprits include packaged snack cakes, chips, instant noodles, frozen meals, diet soda, frozen pizza, candy, and fast foods – all of which are not allowed on the ketogenic diet.

Why So Bad?

A diet high in ultra-processed foods is high in sugar, sodium, trans fats, and chemical additives which contribute to obesity. Obesity increases death rates and cancers in both men and women, studies confirm.²

Too many Americans fall into the trap of frozen dinners. Since they’re easy and convenient, many people choose to pop a frozen dinner into the microwave instead of cooking their own meals. Unfortunately, frozen TV dinners contain high sodium, high sugar, and unhealthy preservatives. If you’re eating your dinner from a box, it’s probably not that healthy. These ultra-processed foods contain additives with carcinogenic properties such as titanium dioxide. Additives like this could cause lesions in the colon or gastrointestinal inflammation.

It’s important to note that it’s not just ultra-processed foods alone that contribute to obesity and cancer. People who eat large amounts of ultra-processed foods are more likely to smoke, eat high-calorie diets, and lead sedentary lifestyles.

The Whole Food Mentality of Keto

You won't find ultra-processed foods on the ketogenic diet. Instead, whole, natural foods such as lean meats, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables, and healthy oils and fats are abundant with every meal. Those who follow the ketogenic diet actively avoid processed foods, carbohydrates, and sugar. Followers of the diet experience weight loss, clear skin, improved mental health, and more energy. They also see a reduction in the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

This study states that processed foods make up to 50 percent of the average person’s diet in developed countries, where we see rising obesity and cancer levels. By following the ketogenic diet and avoiding ultra-processed foods, you can avoid becoming a statistic.

Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD.

Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.

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Rebecca McCusker

Rebecca has been freelance writing since she was eighteen years old, and she is especially passionate about health and wellness topics. She lives in the Ohio countryside with her husband and two Australian Shepherds, and when she's not writing, she's playing piano and guitar in her folk-rock band, Linden Hollow.

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