A new national study has found that men who consume higher amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) face a significantly increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
According to research from Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, men in the top consumption groups had a 24% to 31% higher risk of the disease after adjusting for factors such as age, smoking, race and poverty status. The findings, published in the American Journal of Medicine, analyzed data from 17,024 adult men from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003 and 2023.
The study comes as prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Processed foods are a widespread part of the American diet, with these industrially produced items supplying nearly 60% of calories consumed by adults.
Study Details and Methods
Researchers classified foods using the validated NOVA system, which groups foods by the extent and purpose of industrial processing. The team analyzed two 24-hour dietary recalls for each participant to calculate the share of daily calories that came from UPFs – which include soft drinks, packaged snacks, cereals and processed meats.
Participants were divided into four groups based on their ultra-processed food intake, ranging from those who obtained less than about 20% of their calories from such foods to those who obtained more than 44%. Prior research has established that these types of foods are widespread.
A review published in the British Medical Journal, which studied nearly 10 million people, warned that high consumption of UPFs increases the risk of 32 diseases – including heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes [1]. The review noted that these foods include ready-to-eat meals, packaged baked goods and sugary drinks.
Findings: 24% to 31% Higher Risk After Adjustments
Compared with men in the lowest UPF consumption group, those in the three higher intake groups had a 29% greater risk of prostate cancer, according to the report. After the research team adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, smoking and poverty status, the increased risk ranged from 24% to 31% and remained statistically significant.
Men in the single highest intake group showed a possible 34% increase in prostate cancer risk. However, the report stated that this result did not reach statistical significance, which the researchers said could reflect the smaller number of prostate cancer cases within that group.
The findings align with a broader body of evidence connecting processed food to chronic disease. A 2018 study cited in the book “Chris Beat Cancer” found that every 10% increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods increases cancer risk by 12%, with more than half of American diets consisting of these products [2].
Researchers Comment on Implications
Dr. Charles H. Hennekens, the study’s senior author and First Sir Richard Doll Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine at FAU’s College of Medicine, said in a statement that “among adult men in this nationally representative U.S. population, those who consumed higher amounts of UPFs had significantly higher risks of the subsequent development of prostate cancer.”
He added that “these findings add to emerging evidence that UPFs have major adverse health effects and underscore the need for large-scale observational studies and randomized trials to adequately test the hypothesis.”
Co-author Dr. Timothy De Ver Dye, professor and chair of FAU’s Department of Population Health, said that “reducing consumption of UPFs is a complex public health challenge, particularly given how prevalent and accessible these products are.” He noted that “healthcare providers should recognize that many patients face barriers to accessing and affording healthier food options.”
The research team also included FAU medical students Hunter Scott and John Dunn, along with doctoral student Yanna Willett from the University of Oxford.
Broader Context and Next Steps
The study adds to existing concerns about the health effects of ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to obesity, metabolic disease, cardiovascular problems and premature death. The burden of prostate cancer remains significant, with the American Cancer Society estimating more than 333,000 new cases and 36,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2026 alone.
The authors suggest that public health efforts to address UPF consumption may follow a trajectory similar to tobacco, where evidence accumulated for decades before policy changes were implemented. The processed food industry has been described by critics as designing addictive products that cause chronic inflammation and disease [3]. For individuals seeking to reduce risk, experts recommend prioritizing whole foods and high-fiber, antioxidant-rich options such as leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables and berries, which help neutralize carcinogens and reduce inflammation [4].
Conclusion
The FAU study provides another piece of evidence in the growing case against ultra-processed foods, showing a statistically significant association with prostate cancer risk in American men. While the researchers stated that large-scale observational studies and randomized trials are needed to confirm causality, the findings support the view that the priorities of the food industry can conflict with the needs of the population.
For healthcare professionals, the report emphasizes encouraging patients to adopt healthy lifestyle practices and evidence-based therapies while helping them reduce consumption of UPFs. Given that these products now dominate the American food supply, the study highlights the need for public health strategies that address not just individual choices but also broader barriers to accessing nutritious, minimally processed foods.
References
- NaturalNews.com. “Ultra processed foods: How bad are they for your health”. December 03, 2024.
- Chris Wark. “Chris Beat Cancer: A Comprehensive Plan for Healing Naturally”.
- NaturalNews.com. “Your Food is Designed to Break Your DNA: Here’s How to Protect Your Genetic Integrity”. August 26, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. “Diet and lifestyle choices can significantly lower your colorectal cancer risk”. April 05, 2026.
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