Men who eat more ultra-processed foods have a higher likelihood of developing cancer in the lower part of the colon, even when accounting for their intake of other foods like meat, fruits, and vegetables.

We analyzed the available evidence and found that men who eat more ultra-processed foods appear to have a higher likelihood of developing cancer in the lower part of the colon, even after considering other dietary factors like meat, fruits, and vegetables [1]. This pattern was observed across all the data we reviewed, with no studies contradicting this association. Ultra-processed foods include items like packaged snacks, sugary drinks, frozen meals, and processed meats — products that are typically high in added sugars, salts, fats, and artificial ingredients, and low in whole food components. The evidence we’ve reviewed suggests that as intake of these foods increases, so does the chance of cancer developing in the lower colon, but we cannot say why this might be. It’s possible that additives, packaging chemicals, or changes in gut bacteria play a role, but the current data doesn’t clarify the mechanism. We did not find any research showing that ultra-processed foods lower risk or have no effect — all the evidence points in one direction. However, this does not mean these foods cause cancer, only that a connection exists in the patterns we’ve seen. The number of studies we reviewed is limited, and more research is needed to understand how strong this link is, or whether other lifestyle factors might be involved. What we’ve found so far suggests that reducing ultra-processed foods may be one way for men to lower their risk of lower colon cancer, but it’s just one piece of a larger picture. Eating more whole foods like vegetables, legumes, and whole grains is a simple step that aligns with this pattern.