Ultra-Processed Foods Tied to 41% Higher Lung Cancer Risk, Study Finds

8.8.2025 0 comments

Author: Trisha Houghton, CNS, ASIST

A new large cohort study published in Thorax on July 29th, 2025, links high consumption of ultra-processed foods to a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer.

The research, led by Chinese scientists, analyzed the data from cancer screening trials in the USA, and found that people in the highest quartile of ultra-processed food intake had a 41% greater risk of lung cancer (compared to those in the lowest quartile).

These findings were based on dietary data from over 100,000 adults, whose health outcomes were followed for an average of 12 years. The surprising results suggest a strong association between processed ingredients and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type of lung cancer.

Read the full study here: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2025/07/19/thorax-2024-222100

What the Study Found

The researchers focused on the relationship between eating ultra-processed foods (UPF) and the likelihood of developing lung cancer – stating that the past research on this topic has been very limited.

During the study, they found that individuals who consumed the most ultra-processed foods experienced the following risks:

• 41% increased risk of overall lung cancer;
• 37% increased risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC);
• 44% increased risk of small cell lung cancer (SCLC);

These findings remain statistically significant – even after adjusting for factors such as total calorie intake, body mass index, smoking status, and physical activity. By controlling these variables, the scientists were able to show a clear correlation between dietary habits and cancer risk.

Who Was Studied

The study looked at a very large, well-documented group of subjects – 101 732 adults with the average age of 62. These people completed a detailed dietary questionnaire between 1993 and 2001.

During a median follow-up of 12 years among the subjects, 1,706 lung cancer cases were recorded. Thanks to the long-term nature of the study, the researchers were able to monitor health outcomes over a substantial period – further strengthening the results of their findings.

However, it’s important to note that while the balance between male and female participants was kept (50 187 men and 51 545 women), the group represented a predominantly non-Hispanic White demographic without cancer at baseline.

Additionally, while the subjects reported smoking habits, they didn’t have to report smoking intensity (which could be a major contributor to lung cancer).

Why the Study Findings Matter

As mentioned by the authors of the study, “lung cancer is the most frequent cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with an estimated 2.20 million new cancer cases and 1.80 million deaths worldwide in 2020.”

At the same time, the Western society is progressively producing and consuming more ultra-processed foods. Because of the Earth’s rapidly growing population, the demand for food is also going up. This study highlights that processed ingredients may not be the solution – due to their low nutritional value, carcinogenic properties, and low satiety value.

The findings also show the other side of the coin – pointing that the risk for lung cancer can be increased by factors other than smoking. For example, the authors mention that “acrolein, found in grilled sausages and caramel candies, is a toxic component of cigarette smoke that contributes to lung cancer by damaging mitochondrial DNA.”

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What Comes Next

As noted in the conclusion of the research, the study’s observational design limits its ability to establish direct causation – but the size and rigor of the analysis make its findings noteworthy.

While this article suggests a beneficial effect of limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods, additional trials in other populations, age groups, and settings may be required. In the future, we may learn not just which foods help prevent cancer – but also which ones aid in achieving remission and reclaiming health.

For now, we can be sure that eating more natural, whole foods is the healthier choice that provides the body with more essential nutrients to thrive, potentially decreasing the risk for respiratory diseases such as lung cancer.

Since your lungs and overall health are influenced not only by what you breathe but also by what you eat, reducing ultra-processed foods is a vital first step. But because we’re all exposed to toxins daily—through diet, environment, and even the air—supporting your liver and kidneys can further help your body filter out harmful compounds and reduce your toxic load.

To further support your liver and assist your natural detox pathways, you should consider herbal supplementation. We partnered with environmental toxin specialists and supplement formulators to create the best formula on the market that supports your liver and kidneys detox organs in a safe way – it’s called Restore Detox.

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