Ultra-processed food (UPF) and cancer risk
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 29th June 2024
Ultra-processed food (UPF) otherwise known as ‘junk food’ is affordable and accessible, but offer a low nutritional value with high saturated fat, sugar, and salt content. In the UK, 57% of adults’ daily intake is derived from UPF, even higher in adolescents (66%).[i] While processed food in itself is not a bad thing, with some processes making food safer and increasing shelf life, ultra-processing is associated with health issues from over-consumption. These well-established risks include heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.[ii]
Impact on oral health
UPF is often sugary or starchy, which can have a negative impact on patients’ oral health. When consumed regularly, and in excess, sugary snacks and drinks can lead to oral diseases such as caries and gingivitis. Research suggests that higher UPF consumption is associated with increased rates of caries in children and adolescents, highlighting the need for improved diets and oral hygiene education to protect long term oral health.[iii]
Risk of oral cancer
Furthermore, researchers at the University of Bristol have analysed the diet and lifestyle data of 450,111 adults over 14 years. They found that eating more UPF may be associated with a higher risk of developing cancer in the mouth, throat, and oesophagus.[iv] One study[v] identified the association between UPF consumption and cancer, concluding that replacing processed and ultra-processed foods and drinks with minimally processed foods might reduce the risk of various cancers.
Results from the study showed that eating 10% more UPF is associated with a 23% higher risk of head and neck cancer, and a 24% higher risk of oesophageal cancer. Researchers suggested reasons behind this association. These included the additives found in UPF, such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, which are associated with increased risk of disease, as well as contaminants from the food packaging and manufacturing processes. Each of these could, in part, explain the correlation found in their study.[vi]
The authors also commented that, while there is a clear association between UPF and adverse health, it is unclear whether they are the direct cause. They suggested that other factors, such as general health-related issues and socioeconomic position, might play a role too.[vii] This being said, this research does indicate a link between UPF and oral cancer, and the World Cancer Research Fund International recommends limiting the consumption of processed foods which are high in fat, starch, or sugar for a healthy lifestyle.[viii]
Monitoring for oral cancer
While changing patients’ behaviour is always going to be a challenge, it’s important to make them aware of the risks of their behaviour, whether that’s smoking, drinking, or their diet, and offer them helpful advice. Many patients may be unaware that the food they eat is linked to various cancers, and might not even know they are at risk. As such, it’s important to monitor every patient closely for the early signs of oral cancer to pick it up early and improve survival rates.
Currently, an estimated 70% of oral cancers are detected in advanced stages where survival rates are around 50%. However, when diagnosed in stages I and II, survival rates rise to 90%.[ix] As such, advising patients to check their mouths for anything unusual, and attend regular dental check-ups, means that lesions can be identified and treated as quickly as possible.
Consistent monitoring
Using a pre-diagnostic chairside test when you spot an unusual lesion can be incredibly helpful for picking up on oral cancer in its early stages, and offering you and your patients peace of mind. The early signs of cancer can be indistinguishable from other conditions, such as mouth ulcers, so it’s important to be vigilant and perform the appropriate tests at the right time.
The BeVigilant™ OraFusion™ System from Vigilant Biosciences® is a quick and easy pre-diagnostic test which is designed to be used at point of care, using saliva. If a dentist spots a lesion which they think is suspicious, the BeVigilant™ Orafusion™ System can be used to identify the presence of biomarkers associated with oral cancer, producing a result in 15 minutes or less. This is ideal for clinicians who would like to feel more confident when referring patients, and assessing for oral cancer.
Whether you have identified an abnormal lesion or not, it is important that dental professionals continue to promote a healthy lifestyle to their patients. Recommending patients have a balanced diet, low in free sugars and UPF is helpful for reducing their risk of oral cancer. Most importantly, clinicians should recommend that their patients attend dental appointments regularly to help ensure that nothing is missed for the best chances for their long-term health.
For more information, please visit www.vigilantbiosciences.com or email
[i] NIHR. Beyond taste and nutrient content. Ultra-processed foods and their impact on adolescent health in the UK. Accessed Mar 24. https://sphr.nihr.ac.uk/news-and-events/blog/beyond-taste-and-nutrient-content-ultra-processed-foods-and-their-impact-on-adolescent-health-in-the-uk/
[ii] NIHR. Beyond taste and nutrient content. Ultra-processed foods and their impact on adolescent health in the UK. Accessed Mar 24. https://sphr.nihr.ac.uk/news-and-events/blog/beyond-taste-and-nutrient-content-ultra-processed-foods-and-their-impact-on-adolescent-health-in-the-uk/
[iii] Cascaes, Andreia Morales, et al. “Ultra-processed food consumption and dental caries in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” British Journal of Nutrition 129.8 (2023): 1370-1379.
[iv] University of Bristol. Obesity may not be the only factor to link ultra-processed foods to higher risk of mouth, throat and oesophagus cancers. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2023/november/upf-cancer-study.html
[v] Kliemann, Nathalie, et al. “Food processing and cancer risk in Europe: results from the prospective EPIC cohort study.” The Lancet Planetary Health 7.3 (2023): e219-e232.
[vi] University of Bristol. Obesity may not be the only factor to link ultra-processed foods to higher risk of mouth, throat and oesophagus cancers. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2023/november/upf-cancer-study.html
[vii] University of Bristol. Obesity may not be the only factor to link ultra-processed foods to higher risk of mouth, throat and oesophagus cancers. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2023/november/upf-cancer-study.html
[viii] World Cancer Research Fund International. Ultra-processed food increases cancer rates, new research shows. Accessed March 24. https://www.wcrf.org/latest/news-and-updates/ultra-processed-food-increases-cancer-rates-new-research-shows/
[ix] Care Quality Commission. Dental mythbuster 33: Detecting oral cancer and improving outcomes in primary care. https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/dentists/dental-mythbuster-33-detecting-oral-cancer-improving-outcomes-primary
No Comments
No comments yet.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.