Even after accounting for factors like body weight, exercise habits, smoking, and mother's education level, eating more processed foods didn't consistently change breast density measurements.

Scientific Claim

The study found no significant association between ultra-processed food consumption and breast density when adjusting for BMI, physical activity, tobacco use, maternal education, and other potential confounders.

Original Statement

“Simple and multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the associations between UPF consumption (calories and grams, categorized in quartiles according to the sample distribution) and BD outcomes, adjusting for confounders such as birth weight, body mass index, tobacco use, physical activity, menstrual cycle stage, maternal education, age at menarche, total energy consumption, and maternal BD. [...] No consistent associations were observed between UPF intake and %FGV and AFGV.”

From study:Consumption of ultraprocessed foods and breast density in adolescence

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim correctly states 'no significant association' and specifies that this was after adjusting for multiple confounders, which accurately reflects the study's methodology and findings. The language appropriately avoids causal language.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Consumption of ultraprocessed foods and breast density in adolescence

Cohort Study

Human

2025 Nov 10

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Consumption of ultraprocessed foods and breast density in adolescence

Score: 58

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-23030-x

Similar Assertions

When looking at how much of the total calories came from processed foods (instead of how many grams), there was no consistent link to breast density at any point in the menstrual cycle.

79%

When looking at how much of the total calories came from processed foods (instead of how many grams), there was no consistent link to breast density at any point in the menstrual cycle.

77%

When looking at all teenage girls together without considering where they were in their menstrual cycle, eating more processed foods didn't consistently change how dense their breast tissue looked on scans.

74%

The effect of processed foods on breast density during the first half of the menstrual cycle only happened at medium levels of consumption, not at the highest levels.

73%

The effect of processed foods on breast density during the first half of the menstrual cycle only happened at medium levels of consumption, not at the highest levels.

71%