For several years, we have known that regularly consuming highly processed products increases the risk of cancer. A new American study, focusing on colorectal cancer, deciphers the underlying biochemical mechanism. Ultraprocessed foods activate inflammation which itself plays a role in tumorigenesis. Explanations.
Links between cancer and ultraprocessed foods
The link between ultraprocessed foods and cancer risk has already been demonstrated in several studies. Among these are those of Nutrinet santé and the International Center for Research on Cancer (Circ).
To know! According to the NOVA classification created in 2010, highly processed foods are products with industrial formulations containing more than 4 or 5 ingredients. These foods may contain food additives, hydrolyzed proteins, modified starches and/or hydrogenated oils. These products are generally very high in calories. They are also high in added sugars, salt and fat. They are often ready to eat or ready to cook or reheat.
By analyzing the epidemiological data of 92,000 volunteers from the Nutrinet santé study followed for 7 years, French researchers highlighted an association between the ingestion of certain emulsifying additives (additives most used in ultra-processed foods) and an increased risk of cancer. This particularly concerns breast and prostate cancers..
To know! Emulsifiers include mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, carrageenans, modified starches, lecithins, phosphates, celluloses, gums and pectins.
Some research also suggests that emulsifiers disrupt the intestinal microbiota (all the microorganisms present in the intestine). They could also increase the risk of inflammation. This could potentially promote the occurrence of certain cancers.
The other study, conducted by the Circ, involved 4,500 participants followed for 11 years. She showed that a higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods (260 g/day without alcoholic drinks) was associated with an increased risk of cancer. The risk also concerned heart and metabolic diseases (diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity). Among food subgroups, the strongest associations were with animal products and sweetened or sugary drinks.
The role of chronic inflammation
In this recent study, American researchers describes a chronic inflammatory state. This state could lead to tumorigenesisin other words to the formation of tumors.
Before reaching this conclusion, they analyzed and compared 162 biological samples from colorectal tumors or healthy colons. Samples from patients and volunteers took place at Tampa General Hospital in Florida.
The results? They found a very large number of pro-inflammatory molecules and a shortage of those with an anti-inflammatory role (lipid resolving mediators).
Their results, published in the prestigious scientific journal Gut, show that it’s in nourishing inflammation that ultra-processed food would be involved in the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer.
In their conclusions, the researchers specify that: “These observations pave the way for “resolution medicine,” a new therapeutic approach to induce or deliver resolvins to attenuate chronic inflammation that drives cancer growth and progression.”
To know! Resolvins are pro-resolving mediators, also called SPM (Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators), belonging to the omega-3 family. They play an anti-inflammatory role. Resolvins are synthesized from EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) during different enzymatic reactions during which intermediate precursors, pre-resolvins, are formed.
How to reverse inflammation?
To go further, the authors have demonstrated that bioactive lipids derived from “good fats” allow the body to actively fight against inflammationwhile lipids from ultra-processed foods induce chronic inflammation and disrupt the immune system.
Thus, these results imply that it is possible to implement natural preventive care.
It would thus be possible to reduce the inflammatory state by consuming more healthy, unprocessed foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
To know! Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids come from terrestrial plants (walnuts, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, flax oil, etc.) which contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and from animals marine (oily fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies, etc.) which contain EPA and DHA.
This adoption of such a diet, coupled with restful sleep and physical exercise, could restore the “body’s healing mechanisms”.
Sources
– The role of ultraprocessed foods in colorectal cancer is becoming clearer. www.lequotidiendumedecin.fr. Accessed December 31, 2024.
– Consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of multimorbidity of cancer and cardiometabolic diseases: a multinational cohort study. www.thelancet.com. Consulté le 2 janvier 2025.
