By Admin 
In today’s busy life, people have become more dependent on quickly prepared packaged food. Things like chips, biscuits, packet juice, cold drinks, processed meat, ready-to-eat noodles and bread have become common in every household. Now the question arises whether these packaged items can cause serious diseases like cancer? Research is being done on this question all over the world. From France’s big study NutriNet-Sante to recent reports, there has been a lot of evidence that excessive consumption of ultra-processed food can increase the risk of cancer, but some experts say that there is no concrete evidence yet. Patna’s famous cancer expert Dr. BP Singh has also given his opinion on this. Let us know what he revealed on this issue?
How are ultra-processed foods?
Ultra-processed foods are food items that are heavily processed in factories. In these, salt, sugar, oil and many types of chemical additives like preservatives, colors, flavors and emulsifiers are added, so that the food products do not spoil for a long time and taste good. Generally, packaged chips, soda, packet juice, processed cheese, meat products like sausage, ham and many types of snacks fall in this category.
What has come to light in the research?
First of all let’s talk about old research. In fact, during the year 2018, a big study named NutriNet-Sante found that if the share of ultra-processed food in the diet increases by 10 percent, then the risk of cancer increases by 12 percent and the risk of breast cancer increases by 11 percent. This study was published in the famous medical journal BMJ, for which thousands of people were followed for a long time. At the same time, in January 2026 itself, a new part of the Nutrinate-Sante study has been published in the BMJ journal, in which the focus was on food preservatives, i.e. chemicals that protect goods from spoilage.
So many people participated in the new study
According to the information, more than one lakh people were included in the new study. The results show that excessive consumption of certain preservatives increases the risk of all types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer. In fact, additives like potassium sorbate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate and sodium erythorbate showed more danger. Although no direct connection was found between preservatives and cancer, the risk of cancer was found to increase by 10-20 percent in those who used them excessively.
Why does the danger increase?
According to experts, ultra-processed food contains excess salt, sugar and saturated fat, which increases obesity, diabetes and inflammation. All these are risk factors for cancer. Additionally, chemicals and preservatives from packaging can cause inflammation in the body or damage DNA. Microplastics can also enter the body from plastic packets.
Should you never eat packaged food?
Focusing on all the research, the question arises whether one should not eat packaged food even by mistake? On this, Patna’s famous cancer expert Dr. BP Singh said that many researches have been done till now, but till now no concrete evidence has been found in any lab that packaged food causes cancer. It is clear that packaged food is harmful, which increases stomach diseases and gastrointestinal problems. Fresh juice, milk or bread are beneficial, but packaged foods can be harmful. Milk that comes in plastic packets is also not considered good, but no evidence of cancer has been found yet. However, it should not be ignored. Such foods can increase the risk of cancer related to stomach and intestines.
Also read: If you are relying on the normal report of ECG then be careful, if you do not pay attention then death can occur at any time.
Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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