Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42708620›Full record

ArticleJNCI cancer spectrum2026

Intake of ultra-processed foods and accelerated epigenetic aging of colorectal tissues.

Matthew A Devall, Hania M Taha, Nadine Khalil, Xiangqing Sun, Gaizun Hu, Alexa Ramirez, Fatima Z Habib, Samyukta Venkatesh, Mourad W Ali, Joseph Willis and 2 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in JNCI cancer spectrum, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Matthew A DevallDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.ORCID 0000-0001-5943-4397
Hania M TahaDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.ORCID 0000-0003-4117-3314
Nadine KhalilDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Xiangqing SunDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Gaizun HuDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Alexa RamirezDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Fatima Z HabibDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Samyukta VenkateshDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Mourad W AliDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Joseph WillisDepartment of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.
Gregory CooperDepartment of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.
Li LiDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.ORCID 0000-0003-1802-9517

Funding

Racial Disparities and Colorectal DNA Methylation- Driven Gene ExpressionR21CA283132 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · PI LI, LI · 2023 to 2023
$415k
A novel approach for the use of normal colon organoids in the identification of true casual variants and mechanistic interrogation of their gene targets in colon cancer riskK22CA297064 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · PI Matthew A.M Devall · 2025 to 2026
$385k
NCI NIH HHS K22 CA297064NCI NIH HHS R21 CA283132University of Virginia Precision Health Initiative
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundUltra-processed food (UPF) intake is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and may contribute to rising early-onset CRC incidence, although underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

methodsWe examined associations between UPF intake and accelerated epigenetic aging (AgeAccel) in normal colorectal tissues among 106 participants (73 African American (AA); 33 European American) in the Cleveland Colon Screening and Risk Factors Study (2012-2018). Ultra-processed food intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and classified according to the NOVA system. AgeAccel was derived from DNA methylation assays of colorectal biopsies. Linear mixed-effects regression models adjusted for energy intake, race, and colorectal location assessed associations.

resultsHigher UPF intake was significantly associated with increased AgeAccel in overall colorectum (P = 6.87 × 10-03; β = .061; SE = 0.028), corresponding to a + 1.41-year difference between the highest and lowest quartiles. Associations were significant in the right colon and among AA participants (P < .05).

conclusionThese findings suggest a potential mechanistic link between UPF intake and CRC risk.

Indexed as

AgingColonColorectal NeoplasmsEpigenesis, GeneticFast FoodsRectumAgedBlack or African AmericanDNA MethylationFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRisk FactorsWhite

Identifiers

PMID42708620
PMCPMC13637630

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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 OpenQuestion graph.