Low Nutritional Value Foods are Linked to Increased Risk for Cancer
According to a new study, individuals who often consume low nutritional quality foods have an increased chance of getting cancer. That’s why the study’s authors are urging governments to implement labeling of foods and specifically include the nutritional value.
Britain currently implemented a method where people can look up a food product’s nutritional value. Known as the Nutrient Profiling System, it was developed by the British Food Standards Agency (FSAm-NPS). It can easily be downloaded via BFSA’s website which lets individuals make informed dietary decisions when it comes to picking out foods that are healthier as opposed to those with empty calories.
Likewise, France has also adopted a system similar to Britain’s along with other countries like Belgium.
Nutrient Profiling on Low Nutritional Value Foods
In a new study spearheaded by Melanie Deschasaux of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research in Paris, they found that consuming foods with low-nutritional content is linked to increased cancer risk. The proof is quite substantial to prod policy-makers to urge food manufacturers and countries, as a whole, to implement nutrient profiling in food labels. This study was printed in the journal PLOS Medicine in collaboration with specialists from various research institutions.
The Study
Data was collected from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, which amounted to 471,495 participants analyzed. A 15.3-year median follow-up period was done wherein the volunteers provided data on their food habits and pertinent medical data like their history of cancer.
Out of the participants surveyed, a total of 49,794 individuals have been diagnosed with cancer. Out of these numbers with cancer, 11.66% have colorectal cancer, 13.55% has prostate cancer, and 24.23% has breast cancer.
The study further postulated that low nutritional quality foods were linked to a higher chance of getting cancer of the stomach and upper aerodigestive tract for males and females. And a higher chance for cancer of the lungs in men. While the increased risk for postmenopausal breast cancer and liver cancer were seen in women, who indulged more on lower nutritional value foods.
According to the researchers, the only study limitation they could see is that most of the data was self-reported by the volunteers and may not be completely spot on. However, the size of the study is vast and a dependable source of data that researchers can access and evaluate.
The Relevance of Nutrient Profiling System
The study authors have further reported that their study is the first study to look into the connection between diseases and the dietary index, FSAm-NPS within a sizeable European sampling unit. Further, the researchers also believe that the research is solid to urge countries to execute enhanced guidelines when it comes labeling of foods.
Accordingly, the researchers further claim that “This study supports the relevance of the FSAm-NPS as an underlying nutrient profiling system for front-of-pack nutrition labels, as well as for other public health nutritional measures.”
Inspired by www.medicalnewstoday.com
