Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., and a recent study from the University of South Florida points to our plates as a potential source of the problem.
The research — published in Gut, a journal of the British Medical Association — shows that diets that largely consist of ultra-processed foods and seed oils suppress the immune system. This leads to inflammation and makes it harder for the body to stop the growth of cancer cells.
USF researchers provided some examples of highly processed foods:
- Ice cream
- Sausages
- Chips
- Mass-produced bread
- Breakfast cereals
- Doughnuts
- Carbonated drinks
- Instant soups
- Some alcoholic drinks
However, these certainly aren’t the only ones.
Study author Ganesh Halade, associate professor at the USF Health Heart Institute in the Morsani College of Medicine, points to the importance of diet in battling inflammation and maintaining health:
“Our bodies are designed to actively resolve inflammation through bioactive lipid compounds derived from the healthy fats, like avocados, that we consume.”
USF lists some examples of healthy, unprocessed foods, such as salmon, halibut, seaweed, spinach, and grass-fed and pasture-raised meats.
Colorectal cancer is not the first to be linked to an ultra-processed diet. Previous research connected a 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption with a 16% increase in breast cancer deaths and a 30% increase in ovarian cancer deaths.
Cancer isn’t the only danger associated with ultra-processed food, either.
Other risks include:
- A faster rate of cognitive decline
- A higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia
- A higher risk of stroke
- Premature aging
- An overall higher rate of death
The USF study’s results could lead to further research in reversing inflammation using “healthy, unprocessed foods rich with omega-3 fatty acids” — along with exercise and balanced sleep.
USF’s researchers also say that early trials using certain fish oil derivatives have shown promise in addressing inflammation at its root cause.
“This has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, moving beyond drugs to harness natural healing processes,” corresponding author Dr. Timothy Yeatman says. “It’s a vital step toward addressing chronic inflammation and preventing diseases before they start.”
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