New study links high intake of ultra-processed foods to greater lung cancer risk in all age groups
A new study has found a worrying link between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of lung cancer—even among people who have never smoked.
Researchers tracked the health and eating habits of over 100,000 adults in the US for more than a decade and found that those who ate the most ultra-processed foods were 41% more likely to develop lung cancer than those who ate the least.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) include items like pizza, ice cream, hot dogs, fizzy drinks, breakfast cereals, and ready meals. These foods are typically high in salt, sugar, fat, and artificial additives, but low in nutritional value. In this study, the most commonly consumed UPFs were lunch meats and sugary drinks.
The research, led by academics based in China and published in a peer-reviewed journal, followed participants for an average of 12 years. Over that period, 1,706 people were diagnosed with lung cancer.
The team used detailed food surveys to analyse participants’ diets, with UPF consumption ranging from half a portion to six servings per day. On average, people consumed nearly three servings daily.
Embed from Getty ImagesLung cancer is already the most common form of cancer in Scotland. According to Public Health Scotland, 5,476 cases were diagnosed in 2021 alone, accounting for over 15% of all cancer cases in the country.
The researchers say that while smoking remains the biggest risk factor, their findings show diet could also play a significant role—especially considering that one in four lung cancer cases occur in people who have never smoked.
“Limiting trends of UPF intake globally could contribute to reducing the burden of lung cancer,” the study authors wrote.
Professor Sam Hare, consultant chest radiologist at the Royal Free London NHS Trust, welcomed the research but urged caution. “A quarter of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers, so we do need studies that explore whether other lifestyle factors—like diet—are involved,” he said.
However, he added that drawing firm conclusions was difficult: “People’s diets can change significantly over time, and in long-term studies like this one, dietary information is usually collected at the start and not updated. So it’s hard to directly link lung cancer risk to UPF consumption alone.”
While the study controlled for whether participants smoked or not, it did not take into account how heavily they smoked, which may influence the results. The researchers acknowledged this and advised that the findings be interpreted with some caution.
Still, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests cutting back on highly processed foods can benefit overall health—and may even reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses like cancer.
Health experts continue to advise that diets rich in whole foods—such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins—are best for long-term wellbeing.
And as the global popularity of ultra-processed convenience foods continues to rise, the researchers say their findings highlight the urgent need for more public awareness about what we eat—and how it might affect us in the long run.