Ultra-Processed Food Risks Vary by Specific Category
The health impact of processed items depends on the food group, according to a long-term study of U.S. adults.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Nutrition
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A large-scale, long-term study of over 461,000 U.S. adults found that not all ultra-processed foods carry the same colorectal cancer risk. The findings suggest that risks may depend on the specific type of food, as certain ultra-processed options are linked to lower cancer rates.
Why it matters
The study suggests that grouping all ultra-processed foods together may obscure important nutritional differences. By looking at specific categories, researchers found that the health impact of processed items varies significantly, which complicates broad dietary advice.
This retrospective cohort study followed 461,682 U.S. adults for a median of 18.8 years. Researchers observed that while total ultra-processed food intake showed no overall link to cancer risk, specific sub-categories were associated with distinct outcomes.
The players
NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study
A long-term, large-scale investigation tracking dietary patterns and health outcomes in U.S. adults.
The details
Researchers classified diet using the Nova system and analyzed intake via food frequency questionnaires. The results show that each daily serving of ultra-processed whole grains is linked to a 13% lower cancer risk, and ultra-processed dairy is linked to a 25% lower risk, while ultra-processed meat is linked to an 8% higher risk. These divergent effects suggest that protective and harmful ingredients within the ultra-processed category may offset each other in the overall analysis.
Timeline
Participants were enrolled in the health study between 1995 and 1996.
The study tracked participant health outcomes from 1995 through 2018.
Health Landscape
This research complicates the prevailing focus on ultra-processed foods as a single, uniform risk factor. By applying the Nova classification system, it highlights the need for a more granular approach to nutritional science and cancer prevention.
These findings suggest that when choosing processed foods, it may be beneficial to prioritize whole grain and dairy options while limiting processed meats. It is worth discussing your overall dietary patterns with a physician to determine how these findings apply to your personal risk factors.
The takeaway
Not all ultra-processed foods are created equal, with some types linked to increased cancer risk and others to lower risk. Tracking the specific sources of your calories rather than just the total amount of processing can be a helpful step in managing your long-term health.
Further reading
Learn more about healthy eating patterns in our Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EatingWell.
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Do you prioritize specific food ingredients over the level of processing when planning your diet?
