Ultra-processed foods, adiposity and risk of head and neck cancer and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study: a mediation analysis

The odds of developing esophageal, head, and neck cancer may be stacked against lovers of ultra-processed foods.

This study looked at the incidence of esophageal, head, and neck cancer based on the level of consumption of ultra-processed foods. Researchers compared the rate of occurrence of cancer of the esophagus, head, and neck among consumers and non-consumers of ultra-processed foods in a study population comprising of nearly half a million men and women. 

Researchers observed that esophageal, head, and neck cancer tend to occur more in consumers than among non-consumers of ultra-processed foods. Based on the data from this study, it can be concluded that increased intake of ultra-processed foods may up an individual's chances of coming down with head, neck, and esophageal cancer.