Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BackgroundDespite increasing evidence that has shown the association of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive. We, therefore, conducted the meta-analysis to clarify the association by including recently published studies.MethodsA comprehensive search was cond...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1175994/full |
| _version_ | 1797809062795018240 |
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| author | Ying Lian Ying Lian Gang-Pu Wang Guo-Qiang Chen Guo-Qiang Chen Hua-Nan Chen Hua-Nan Chen Guang-Yong Zhang |
| author_facet | Ying Lian Ying Lian Gang-Pu Wang Guo-Qiang Chen Guo-Qiang Chen Hua-Nan Chen Hua-Nan Chen Guang-Yong Zhang |
| author_sort | Ying Lian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundDespite increasing evidence that has shown the association of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive. We, therefore, conducted the meta-analysis to clarify the association by including recently published studies.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify all relevant studies from inception to January 2023. To pool data, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used where appropriate. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias tests were performed.ResultsA total of 13 studies (4 cohort studies and 9 case–control studies) were included in the analysis, with a total of 625,738 participants. The highest UPFs consumption was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10–1.38), colon cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.14–1.36), and breast cancer (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00–1.20) but not rectal cancer (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.97–1.43) and prostate cancer (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.93–1.12). In addition, the subgroup analyses showed that a positive association between UPFs consumption and colorectal cancer was observed among men (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.15–1.50), whereas no significant association was observed among women (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.94–1.29).ConclusionThe present meta-analysis suggests that high UPFs consumption is associated with a significantly increased risk of certain site-specific cancers, especially the digestive tract and some hormone-related cancers. However, further rigorously designed prospective and experimental studies are needed to better understand causal pathways. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:46:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-059b762620bb4ddd9d33e575e8fef357 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:46:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-059b762620bb4ddd9d33e575e8fef3572023-06-08T04:39:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2023-06-011010.3389/fnut.2023.11759941175994Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysisYing Lian0Ying Lian1Gang-Pu Wang2Guo-Qiang Chen3Guo-Qiang Chen4Hua-Nan Chen5Hua-Nan Chen6Guang-Yong Zhang7Department of Health Management and Engineering Laboratory for Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Medical Record Management and Statistics, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, The Fourth People's Hospital of Jinan City, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Health Management and Engineering Laboratory for Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Medical Record Management and Statistics, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Health Management and Engineering Laboratory for Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Medical Record Management and Statistics, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, ChinaBackgroundDespite increasing evidence that has shown the association of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive. We, therefore, conducted the meta-analysis to clarify the association by including recently published studies.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify all relevant studies from inception to January 2023. To pool data, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used where appropriate. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias tests were performed.ResultsA total of 13 studies (4 cohort studies and 9 case–control studies) were included in the analysis, with a total of 625,738 participants. The highest UPFs consumption was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10–1.38), colon cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.14–1.36), and breast cancer (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00–1.20) but not rectal cancer (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.97–1.43) and prostate cancer (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.93–1.12). In addition, the subgroup analyses showed that a positive association between UPFs consumption and colorectal cancer was observed among men (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.15–1.50), whereas no significant association was observed among women (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.94–1.29).ConclusionThe present meta-analysis suggests that high UPFs consumption is associated with a significantly increased risk of certain site-specific cancers, especially the digestive tract and some hormone-related cancers. However, further rigorously designed prospective and experimental studies are needed to better understand causal pathways.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1175994/fullultra-processed foods (UPFs)colorectal cancerbreast cancersystematic reviewmeta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Ying Lian Ying Lian Gang-Pu Wang Guo-Qiang Chen Guo-Qiang Chen Hua-Nan Chen Hua-Nan Chen Guang-Yong Zhang Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Nutrition ultra-processed foods (UPFs) colorectal cancer breast cancer systematic review meta-analysis |
| title | Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Association between ultra-processed foods and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | association between ultra processed foods and risk of cancer a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | ultra-processed foods (UPFs) colorectal cancer breast cancer systematic review meta-analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1175994/full |
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