reducing UPF intake could help lower the risk.
Foods that make up as much as half of the average diet have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, new research suggests.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) include items such as processed sauces, crisps, processed meats and many ready meals.
Previous studies have already linked them to more than 30 harmful effects, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and shorter life expectancy.
Now, a new study published in the research journal Thorax has added lung cancer to the growing list of potential risks associated with high UPF consumption.
Lung cancer is among the most common cancers worldwide. More than 43,000 people are diagnosed every year in the UK alone, according to the NHS.
The disease often shows no symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms appear, they can include breathlessness, coughing up blood and unexplained tiredness.
Researchers now believe reducing UPF intake could help lower the risk.
The study analysed dietary data from more than 101,000 participants, with an average age of 62. Both men and women were asked detailed questions about their eating habits.
While there is no strict definition of a UPF, these foods are usually mass-produced and contain added preservatives and additives designed to enhance flavour and appearance.
Researchers identified UPFs such as ice cream, shop-bought sauces, sweets, soft drinks and ready-made burgers and pizza.
The study focused on products including sour cream, cream cheese, frozen yoghurt, fried foods, bread, baked goods, salted snacks, breakfast cereals, instant noodles, shop-bought soups and sauces, margarine, confectionery, sweetened fruit drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza.
The three most commonly consumed UPFs were lunch meat, accounting for 11% of intake, diet or caffeinated soft drinks at just over seven per cent, and decaffeinated soft drinks at nearly seven per cent.
UPFs are also typically low in nutritional value and high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.
During the study period, 1,706 lung cancer cases were identified.
Most cases (1,473) were non-small cell lung cancer, which usually grows more slowly. The remaining 233 cases were small-cell lung cancer, which is more aggressive.
Researchers stressed no firm conclusions could be drawn, as the study was observational and did not account for factors such as smoking habits.
Despite this, researchers said the growing presence of UPFs in modern diets could be linked to rising levels of “obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, cancer and mortality”.
Nutritionist Rob Hobson said people should focus on gradual improvements rather than ‘pointing the finger’ at specific foods.
He told The Independent the findings highlighted the need to examine the ‘food environment’ people live in, where UPFs are cheap, widely available and heavily promoted.
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