New research from Florida Atlantic University shows that men who consume higher amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may face a nearly 30% greater risk of developing prostate cancer.
Ultra-processed foods like snacks, soft drinks and cereals, may be inexpensive and tasty, but the list of health drawbacks from their consumption is growing. New research from Florida Atlantic University shows that men who consume higher amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may face a nearly 30% greater risk of developing prostate cancer.
Ultra-processed foods account for nearly 60% of adults' and 70% of children's energy intake in the United States. These industrially manufactured products typically contain refined fats, oils, sugars, starches, salts and other additives designed to enhance flavor, texture and shelf life. They can also displace more nutritious, minimally processed foods from the diet.
Researchers have identified several possible biological pathways through which these foods could contribute to cancer, including metabolic disruption, inflammation, oxidative stress and changes to the gut microbiome. However, relatively little research has examined whether men who consume large amounts of UPFs are more likely to develop prostate cancer.
Published in The American Journal of Medicine, the research analyzed data from 17,024 U.S. men age 18 and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003 and 2023. Researchers used two 24-hour dietary recalls to determine the percentage of participants' daily calories that came from ultra-processed foods.
Using the widely recognized NOVA classification system, the researchers divided participants into four groups, ranging from those who consumed less than approximately 20% of their calories from UPFs to those consuming more than 44%.
Men in the three higher-consumption groups had a 29% greater risk of prostate cancer compared with those in the lowest-consumption group. Men in the two highest-consumption groups had a 30% greater risk.
The association remained significant even after researchers adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, smoking and poverty status. Depending on the analysis, the increased risk ranged from 24% to 31%.
"Among adult men in this nationally representative U.S. population, those who consumed higher amounts of UPFs had significantly higher risks of the subsequent development of prostate cancer," said study senior author Charles H. Hennekens. "These findings add to emerging evidence that UPFs have major adverse health effects and underscore the need for large-scale observational studies and randomized trials to adequately test the hypothesis."
The findings add to a growing body of research associating high UPF consumption with overweight and obesity, metabolic disease, inflammation, cardiovascular disease—including heart attacks and strokes—and premature death.
Researchers say the growing evidence surrounding ultra-processed foods could represent a major public health challenge, particularly because these products are inexpensive, convenient and widely available.
The authors compare the situation to the history of tobacco. Although evidence of the health dangers of smoking began emerging in the middle of the last century, decades passed before the accumulating scientific evidence and efforts by public health officials resulted in policies designed to discourage cigarette use. They suggest that ultra-processed foods could follow a similar path as scientists continue to investigate their long-term effects.
"Reducing consumption of UPFs is a complex public health challenge, particularly given how prevalent and accessible these products are," said co-author Timothy De Ver Dye. "Health care providers should recognize that many patients face barriers to accessing and affording healthier food options. Addressing these challenges will require efforts that extend beyond individual choices to support greater access to nutritious, minimally processed foods."
The researchers emphasize that the study demonstrates an association between higher UPF consumption and prostate cancer risk, but it does not prove that ultra-processed foods directly cause prostate cancer. Additional research, including large-scale observational studies and randomized clinical trials, will be needed to determine whether the relationship is causal.
Still, the findings add to the growing case for limiting ultra-processed foods and emphasizing whole and minimally processed foods as part of a healthier diet.
"All health care professionals should encourage patients to adopt healthy lifestyle practices and evidence-based therapies, while also helping them reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods," Hennekens said. "Patients and their health care providers should consider this finding as part of broader efforts to promote healthier dietary choices."
Click here to read more in The American Journal of Medicine.
