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Survey - The study, conducted by the Universite Sorbonne Paris Cite, examined the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in the British diet.

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First study of the kind - It is the first study to reveal a direct link between ultra-processed foods and cancer.

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Number of people that took part - A total of almost 105,000 adults took part in the survey.

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Healthy vs processed - The survey asked participants to record how much processed food they consumed in 24 hours.

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Amount of processed foods -

The study showed that a large proportion of British adults eat ultra-processed foods on a daily basis.

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What to look for? - Ultra-processed foods contain high levels or sugar, salt, and fats.

Careful: sometimes these ingredients are 'hidden' under different names in labels!

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Avoid ultra-processed foods -

Canned, tinned, or ready-made packaged foods are all ultra-processed foods.

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Read labels - The journal cautions people to read labels more carefully and not expect seemingly 'healthy' items or ingredients to be what they appear.

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Fizzy and sweetened drinks -

Soft drinks are high in sugar, specially refined sugar, which is potentially cancerous.

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Chocolate - Some chocolates are also considered as ultra-processed foods.

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Refined sugars - Eating foods made or coated in refined sugar can increase your risk of getting cancer.

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Packed with chemicals - Ever wondered what those 'E' numbers are? They are chemicals, artificial colourings, and additives that make foods last longer and taste sweeter.

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Biscuits - The list of ultra-processed foods to avoid also includes biscuits.

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Energy bars - Energy bars are high in bad sugars, salts, and fats, the worst combination!

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Breakfast cereal - Breakfast cereals can increase the risk of cancer by 16 percent, according to the study.

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Mass-produced bread - All mass-produced foods are ultra-processed and can also raise the risk of cancer.

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Margarine - Margarine is full of salt and fats, and not the good kind!

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Powdered slimming products - Although they may seem healthy, powdered slimming products are usually filled with additives and preservatives that give them a longer shelf-life.

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Energy drinks -

Energy drinks are full of sugar, plus they can raise your heart rate.

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Chicken nuggets - Chicken nuggets are high on the list of ultra-processed foods, and are also high in salt, fats, and sugar.

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Preservatives and chemicals - Even meat is packed with chemicals, additives and preservatives to help make them stay fresh for longer.

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Packaged meats - The chemicals in packaged meats give mean they have a longer shelf-life. This contributes to their cancerous properties.

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Powder and instant soups -

Any foods that come from a powder packet are high in unhealthy chemical additives that help conserve the product.

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Instant noodles - That includes instant noodles too!

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Ready made meals - Although ready made meals are handy, according to the study they are also very harmful. Sauces in ready made foods often contain saturated fats and high amounts of sugar and salt.

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Lacking in vitamins and fibre - Processed foods contain less vitamins, minerals, and fibres, which are what help to boost your immune system and help your body fight disease.

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British diets - The study also points out that over half of Britain's diets are made up of processed foods.

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Ultra-processed Britain - A whopping 50.7 per cent to be exact!

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Breast cancer in women - According to the journal, processed foods are likely to increase the risk of breast cancer among middle-aged women by 38 percent.

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Prostate cancer - The research did not indicate any effect on prostate cancer.

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Other causes -

Apart from cancer, the consumption of ultra-processed foods can also lead to obesity.

See also: Stomach cancer: causes, warning signs, and treatment

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