Researchers at Mass General Brigham have discovered a strong link between the regular consumption of ultraprocessed foods and an increased risk of early-onset colorectal cancer. The study, conducted on nearly 30,000 women through the Nurses’ Health Study II, found that those who consumed the most ultraprocessed foods—defined as 10 servings per day—had a 45% higher risk of developing precancerous adenomas, which are early indicators of colon cancer. The findings were published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology*.
The ultraprocessed foods, which are typically high in sugar, salt, saturated fat, and chemical additives, were shown to have a linear relationship with the risk of developing these precancerous growths. Even after accounting for other risk factors such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and low fiber intake, the association between ultraprocessed food consumption and the development of adenomas remained significant. These findings are particularly alarming, as early-onset colorectal cancer—occurring before the age of 50—is on the rise, and there is a growing need for prevention strategies to address this trend.