Eating certain types of ultra-processed foods, such as packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meats, and fatty condiments, is linked to a higher chance of developing high-risk polyps in the colon, which can be precursors to colorectal cancer.

People who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods have a 17% higher chance of developing high-risk colorectal polyps, even when processed meats are not counted, indicating that other ingredients in these foods may play a role in this risk.

Eating ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of developing colorectal polyps even after accounting for factors like poor diet, obesity, and low fiber intake, indicating that the processing of the food itself could play a direct role in this process.

People who eat more ultra-processed foods have a higher likelihood of developing two types of precancerous growths in the colon, even when accounting for other dietary factors and body weight.

Among women, eating more ready-to-eat mixed dishes like frozen meals is linked to a higher chance of developing colorectal cancer, while eating more yogurt and dairy-based desserts is linked to a lower chance.

People who get at least 44.8% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods have a higher likelihood of developing precancerous growths in the colon and rectum, especially more advanced or located in the upper part of the colon.