What is the link between ultra-processed foods and colorectal polyps in young women?

A study published in JAMA Oncology on November 13, 2025 found that women under 50 who consumed the most ultra-processed foods were about 1.5 times more likely to develop precancerous colorectal growths called adenomas, which can later turn into cancer.

How have rates of colorectal cancer changed among young people in recent years?

Rates of colorectal cancer in people under 50 have risen sharply in recent decades, a concerning trend that experts say is likely driven by environmental factors rather than genetics.

What types of ultra-processed foods are most linked to increased polyp risk?

The study found that diets higher in sugar, artificial sweeteners, and sauces/spreads were most associated with higher rates of precancerous adenomas in young women.

Home / Health / Ultra-Processed Foods Tied to Precancerous Polyps in Young Women

Ultra-Processed Foods Tied to Precancerous Polyps in Young Women

13 Nov

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Summary

Study finds link between ultra-processed foods and precancerous colorectal growths in women under 50
Rates of colorectal cancer in young people have risen sharply in recent decades
Diets high in sugar, artificial sweeteners, and sauces/spreads most linked to increased polyp risk

Ultra-Processed Foods Tied to Precancerous Polyps in Young Women

According to a study published in JAMA Oncology on November 13, 2025, eating more ultra-processed foods is tied to an increased risk of precancerous colorectal growths, known as adenomas or polyps, in women under the age of 50. These growths can later turn into cancer and are a good indicator of a person's cancer risk.

The study, led by Dr. Andrew Chan of Massachusetts General Brigham in Boston, analyzed data from over 29,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study II. The women were followed for 24 years, from 1991 to 2015, and had at least one colonoscopy before age 50. The researchers found that women who consumed the most ultra-processed foods, accounting for one-third of their daily calories, were about 1.5 times more likely to develop adenomas compared to those who ate the least.