A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 15, 2025
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on.
A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer.
That’s right. It’s not just obesity, diabetes, or heart disease anymore.
Now these “Frankenfoods” could also be affecting your lungs… even if you’ve never smoked a day in your life.
Let me explain…
Researchers analyzed data from over 100,000 adults (average age: 62.5) who participated in a long-term health screening trial. Over roughly 12 years, they tracked how many servings of ultra-processed foods participants ate daily—and who eventually developed lung cancer.
The findings?
Adults who ate the most ultra-processed food (around six servings a day) had a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer compared to those who ate less than one serving.
That’s an alarming jump—especially when you consider how common these foods are.
We’re talking about:
- Packaged snacks and desserts
- Sugary sodas and sweetened beverages
- Frozen dinners and instant noodles
- Mass-produced bread, deli meats, and boxed cereals
You know the ones… they usually come in crinkly plastic, last forever in the pantry, and are packed with ingredients you can’t pronounce.
But how could food like that affect your lungs?
Ultra-processed foods are loaded with additives like emulsifiers, artificial flavors, and colorants—many of which disrupt gut and lung bacteria, increase inflammation, and trigger toxic buildup in the body.
The study’s authors suggest that chemical additives and packaging byproducts might interfere with your body’s normal defenses, especially in lung tissue. And that’s on top of the fact that most people who eat lots of ultra-processed food are also not eating the protective stuff—like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
So… is it time to panic? Not quite—but it is time to get serious.
This study was observational, which means it can’t prove cause and effect. But it builds on years of research pointing to ultra-processed food as a silent but significant health threat.
And when something is this easy to change—I say, go for it.
You don’t need to give up every convenience in your kitchen. But you can take steps to minimize the damage:
- Stick to “one-ingredient” foods as much as possible: eggs, apples, broccoli, almonds, etc.
- Cook at home when you can, using olive oil, herbs, and spices instead of pre-made sauces.
- If it comes in a bag, box, or wrapper—flip it over and read the label. More than five ingredients (or anything you can’t pronounce)? Skip it.
Over time, these small changes add up. You’ll not only lower your cancer risk—but feel more energized, sleep better, and stay in control of your weight, too.
The best way to protect your lungs doesn’t stop at “don’t smoke.” It starts in your kitchen. And the less ultra-processed food you eat, the better you’ll breathe.
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Source:
Wang K, Zhao J, Yang D, et al., Association between ultra-processed food consumption and lung cancer risk: a population-based cohort study, Thorax, Published Online First: 29 July 2025. doi: 10.1136/thorax-2024-222100
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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