Health · Medical Research · 1 day ago
Study finds no overall link between ultra-processed food and bowel cancer
A study of more than 460,000 US adults found that overall intake of ultra-processed foods was not linked to bowel cancer.
Researchers followed adults aged 50 to 71 for 18 years, during which 10,075 cases were diagnosed.
When the team looked at food types separately, processed meat was linked to higher risk, with each extra daily serving associated with an 8% increase.
An extra daily serving of ultra-processed dairy was associated with a 25% lower risk, while fibre from some processed foods was associated with a lower risk too.
The researchers said fibre and other nutrients in some foods may help explain these findings.
The results do not show that these foods cause changes in risk, and experts cautioned that the study cannot be generalised to younger people.
The findings add to evidence that ultra-processed foods are not all alike, but more research is needed to understand the links.
A study of more than 400,000 US adults found no overall association between ultra-processed food consumption and colorectal cancer.
The study examined 461,682 adults aged 50 to 71 and recorded 10,075 bowel cancer cases over 18 years.
Some food categories showed different associations: processed meat was linked to higher risk, while certain dairy and high-fibre foods were linked to lower risk.
Researchers said the findings do not mean all ultra-processed foods have the same health effects.
An outside researcher cautioned that the results should not be generalised to younger people.
- Who
- Researchers led by Erikka Loftfield of the US National Cancer Institute studied US adults.
- What
- The study found no overall association between ultra-processed food intake and colorectal cancer. It reported differing associations for specific food categories.
- When
- Published on Oct. 15, 2026, according to Medical Xpress; the Daily Mail dates its article Oct. 16, 2026.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- The researchers examined whether overall ultra-processed food intake, and particular food categories, were associated with colorectal cancer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers recorded 10,075 bowel cancer cases among the participants.
Medical Xpress says the study was published Oct. 15, while the Daily Mail article is dated Oct. 16.
- Participants
- 461,682 US adults aged 50 to 71
- Follow-up
- 18 years
- Bowel cancer cases
- 10,075
- Overall finding
- No association between total ultra-processed food intake and colorectal cancer
- Processed meat
- Each additional daily serving was linked to an 8% higher risk
- High-fibre processed foods
- An extra 10g of fibre per day was linked to a 28% lower risk
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What people are saying
The study adds 'to the evidence that UPFs should not be considered as a single, uniform category'.
The findings should not be generalised to younger people. This is particularly important given the rise in early-onset [bowel] cancer, which this study cannot speak to.