Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40014232›Full record

ReviewCurrent oncology reports2025

Beneath the Surface: The Emerging Role of Ultra-Processed Foods in Obesity-Related Cancer.

Ioanna A Anastasiou, Dimitris Kounatidis, Natalia G Vallianou, Alexandros Skourtis, Krystalia Dimitriou, Ilektra Tzivaki, Georgios Tsioulos, Anastasia Rigatou, Irene Karampela, Maria Dalamaga

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Current oncology reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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  8. Role of ChREBP-PPARα-FGF21 Axis in Metabolic Dysfunction of MASLD.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ioanna A AnastasiouDiabetes CenterDepartment of Propaedeutic Internal MedicineMedical School, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, FirstAthens, Greece.
Dimitris KounatidisDiabetes CenterDepartment of Propaedeutic Internal MedicineMedical School, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, FirstAthens, Greece.
Natalia G VallianouFirst Department of Internal Medicine, Sismanogleio General Hospital, 15126, Athens, Greece.
Alexandros SkourtisDepartment of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 10676, Athens, Greece.
Krystalia DimitriouSecond Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National &, Hippokratio General Hospital, Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece.
Ilektra TzivakiFirst Department of Internal Medicine, Sismanogleio General Hospital, 15126, Athens, Greece.
Georgios TsioulosFourth Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Attikon General University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462, Athens, Greece.
Anastasia RigatouFirst Department of Internal Medicine, Sismanogleio General Hospital, 15126, Athens, Greece.
Irene KarampelaSecond Department of Critical Care, Medical School, Attikon General University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Maria DalamagaDepartment of Biological Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece. madalamaga@med.uoa.gr.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeof reviewUltra-processed foods (UPFs) are becoming more and more important in daily diets around the world; in some cases, they can account for as much as 60% of daily energy intake. Epidemiological evidence suggests that this shift toward high levels of food processing may be partially responsible for the global obesity epidemic and the rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases. RECENT

findingsFew prospective studies have examined the relationship between UPF consumption and cancer outcomes. According to currently available information, UPFs may increase the risk of cancer due to their obesogenic properties and exposure to substances that can cause cancer, such as certain food additives and pollution from product processing. The complex relationship between obesity and cancer involves factors such as immune dysregulation, altered adipokine and sex hormone levels, abnormal fatty acid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, and chronic inflammation. Addressing cancer risk associated with UPF consumption could involve a multifaceted approach, including consumer behavior modification programs and robust public health regulations aimed at enhancing food environments. Improved knowledge of the potential dual negative impacts of UPFs on the environment and cancer risk is one of the priority areas we identify for future research and policy implications. Various approaches could be used to prevent cancers associated with UPF consumption, such as consumer behavior change programs and stricter public health regulations needed to improve the food environment. This review examines for the first time the potential role of UPFs in cancer risk associated with obesity, exploring underlying biological mechanisms and identifying key areas for future research and policy action, including the dual environmental and health impact of UPFs.

Indexed as

Fast FoodsFood HandlingFood, ProcessedNeoplasmsObesityHumansRisk FactorsCancerChronic low-grade inflammationGut microbiomeObesityUltra-processed foods

Identifiers

PMID40014232
PMCPMC11976848

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.