Updated nutrient profiling system underlying nutri-score (Uns-Nps) and colorectal cancer risk

• Published in: European journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 79; no. 7; pp. 635 - 640
• Main Authors: Franchi, Carlotta, Ardoino, Ilaria, Orsini, Francesca, Negri, Eva, Dal Maso, Luigino, Rossi, Silvia, Crispo, Anna, Augustin, Livia, Giacosa, Attilio, Mignozzi, Silvia, Bravi, Francesca, Turati, Federica, La Vecchia, Carlo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.07.2025; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/499; 692/700/1538; Aged; Algorithms; Beverages; Cancer; Case-Control Studies; Clinical Nutrition; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Colorectal Neoplasms - etiology; Diet; Energy intake; Epidemiology; Fatty acids; Feeding Behavior; Female; Food; Food intake; Food products; Fruits; Health promotion; Health risks; Humans; Internal Medicine; Legumes; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Diseases; Middle Aged; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrients; Nutrition research; Nutritive Value; Oils & fats; Public Health; Quartiles; Questionnaires; Recipes; Regression analysis; Regression models; Risk Factors; Statistical analysis; Europe
• ISSN: 0954-3007; 1476-5640; 1476-5640
• DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01590-5

Background Globally, poor diet is responsible for about 8 million deaths for non-communicable diseases, including cancers, in 2019. One strategy to promote healthier choices by informing consumers about food nutritional properties is the Front-Of-Pack Nutrition Labels, like Nutri-Score. Our study investigated the association between the updated Nutrient Profiling System (uNS-NPS), underlying Nutri-Score, and Colorectal Cancer (CRC) risk. Methods Data from two hospital-based case-control studies were used. Cases were CRC patients, while controls were individuals admitted for acute non-neoplastic conditions. Dietary habits were assessed via a validated food frequency questionnaire. The uNS-NPS dietary index (uNS-NPS-DI) was derived as the weighted average of the uNS-NPS scores of every food/beverage, for the energy intake provided by that food/beverage. Logistic regression models were employed to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between uNS-NPS-DI (as continuous and as categorical variable, based on quartiles of its distribution among controls) and CRC risk, adjusting for known risk factors. Findings A total of 2419 cases and 4723 controls were analysed. uNS-NPS-DI distribution (median 6.14, IQR: 5.17–7.15) was similar between cases and controls. Individuals in the highest quartile of uNS-NPS-DI (i.e. with the lowest nutritional quality of their diet) compared to those in the lowest showed a higher CRC risk (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.36). Conclusions A diet with low nutritional quality as measured by the uNS-NPS was modestly associated with increased CRC risk.