Consumption of processed foods and cancer risks would be linked.

A 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption would increase the risk of developing cancer by 12%, according to a new French study that followed nearly 105,000 participants over 8 years.

The consumption of "ultratransformed" industrial food is correlated with an increased risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer, according to a French study conducted with about 105,000 French and published Thursday, February 15, 2018. A proven link but of which the cause-and-effect relationship remains to be demonstrated. The study, called NutriNet-Santé, is based on questionnaires completed on the internet between 2009 and 2017 by participants whose median age was close to 43 years old.

"ULTRATRANSFORMES". According to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), the group of "ultra-processed foods" includes all food products consisting mainly or wholly of sugar, fat and other substances not used in culinary preparations such as hydrogenated oils and modified starches, and processed products with the addition of preservatives other than salt (such as nitrites). For example, industrial breads and buns, chocolate bars, aperitif biscuits, sodas and sweetened flavored drinks, nuggets, instant soups, ready-made meals ...

• 10% ultra-processed food consumption = + 12% risk of developing cancer :

Some studies have already observed an association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and "a higher incidence of dyslipidemia in Brazilian children and higher risks of overweight, obesity and hypertension among Spanish university students" , specify the authors of the study. In this study, researchers analyzed responses from a series of questionnaires on daily dietary intake completed every 6 months for the first 2 years by the 104,980 patients in the study. They then averaged participants' dietary intakes and considered them as their usual dietary intake during the 8 years of follow-up. As a result, scientists reported 2,228 cases of cancer, including 108 deaths and 739 breast cancers over the period and population studied. They found that "a 10% increase in the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet was associated with significant increases of 12% in overall cancer risk and 11% in breast cancer risk" .

"More specifically, ultra-processed fats and sauces and sweetened products and beverages were associated with an increased risk of cancer globally, and ultratransformed sweet products were associated with a risk of breast cancer," the researchers said. Their "assumptions" are aimed at "the generally lower nutritional quality" of these products, which are too fat, too much calories and / or too salty, and the "wide range of additives" they contain. On the other hand, "food processing and especially cooking produces newly formed contaminants," they worry. In an editorial, the BMJ stressed that the study offered only a first observation, which "deserves a closer and more careful exploration". "The link of cause and effect remains to be demonstrated," acquiesced Inserm, who funded the study with other French public institutions.

Do not confuse correlation and consequence :

If the study speaks of "association" between ultra-processed food consumption and cancer risk and does not say that one seems to be the cause of the other, it's because the cause-to-consequence relationship has not yet been demonstrated. It would be in this case possible that part of the increase in cancer risk observed stems from other parameters, such as bad habits that people who eat a lot of industrial food are more likely to have. Thus, according to the magazine, the 25% with the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods "tended to be younger, smokers, less educated, have a lower family history of cancer and less physical activity" . In addition, cancer is a pathology likely to occur in the long term, the authors plan to continue monitoring over the next 10 years to update the results.

Industrial dishes are increasingly present in the food of all regions of the world. NutriNet-Santé researchers say their share in the French diet is not quantified. They cite a 2016 study by the ANSES food agency showing that when they eat at home, half of their processed food comes from industry, one-third is "homemade" and the rest artisanally. The World Health Organization refers to "increasing the consumption of high calorie foods high in fat" among the main causes of the progression of obesity, causing serious public health problems.

INSEM

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