Ultraprocessed foods and cancer risk: the importance of distinguishing ultraprocessed food groups

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2024 May 29. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000901. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Several case-control, cohort studies, and meta-analyses found a moderate association between ultraprocessed food consumption and the risk of colorectal and a few other cancers. The evidence is, however, not consistent. A reason for such inconsistence is that the NOVA classification of ultraprocessed foods may include unfavorable but also favorable dietary components, and it may vary across different populations.