High Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods May Increase Bladder Cancer Risk in Men: Study

ISLAMABAD: A new medical study suggests that consuming large amounts of ultra-processed foods may be associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer in men.

The study, conducted by researchers at Florida Atlantic University in the United States, found that men who consumed greater quantities of ultra-processed foods had an increased risk of developing this common form of cancer.

Ultra-processed foods typically undergo multiple stages of industrial processing and often contain high amounts of salt, sugar and other additives, while providing relatively low levels of beneficial nutrients such as fiber.

Common examples include bread, fast food, sweets, candies, cakes, salty snacks, breakfast cereals, chicken and fish nuggets, instant noodles, sugary drinks and soda.

Such foods have previously been associated with several chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease. The latest research adds bladder cancer to the list of potential health concerns linked with high consumption of these foods.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 17,000 people aged 18 and above. The data was collected between 2003 and 2023.

Researchers examined participants’ dietary habits, including their daily consumption of ultra-processed foods, and divided them into four groups based on their intake.

The findings indicated that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 24% to 34% higher risk of bladder cancer among men.

The researchers said many adult men in modern societies consume large amounts of ultra-processed foods, potentially contributing to an increased risk of bladder cancer.

They added that the findings strengthen existing evidence suggesting that high consumption of ultra-processed foods may have harmful effects on health. However, they emphasized that further research and clinical trials are needed to better understand the relationship.

Previous research has linked high consumption of ultra-processed foods with an increased risk of obesity, metabolic disorders, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and premature death.

The findings of the study were published in the American Journal of Medicine.