To promote public health through safer food and improved nutrition, this study focuses on the health risks associated with food processing contaminants, particularly acrylamide and glycidol. These neo-formed compounds are prevalent in commonly consumed foods and have raised concern due to their widespread exposure and toxicological evidence in animal models.
Acrylamide forms during high-temperature cooking (>120°C) of starchy foods and is found in products such as coffee, bread, potato chips, and breakfast cereals. It is classified as a probable human carcinogen (IARC Group 2A), with genotoxicity primarily mediated by its metabolite glycidamide, which forms DNA adducts. Acrylamide also exhibits non-genotoxic effects, including oxidative stress and protein alkylation, potentially contributing to neurotoxicity and cardiometabolic disorders. Despite strong animal evidence, epidemiological studies in humans have shown limited associations with cancer, with some weak links to ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers. A recent U.S. study found a correlation between acrylamide hemoglobin adducts and cancer mortality, but generalizability remains uncertain. Furthermore, no studies have yet examined dietary acrylamide exposure in relation to neurodegenerative diseases, and evidence linking it to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is sparse.
Glycidol, another probable human carcinogen (IARC Group 2A), is primarily found in refined vegetable oils, especially palm oil. It is formed during the deodorization process and has shown strong genotoxic and carcinogenic effects in rodent studies. However, human data on glycidol exposure and cancer risk are lacking.
To address these gaps, this study will utilize validated biomarkers—hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide, glycidamide, and glycidol—to objectively assess long-term dietary exposure. These biomarkers offer advantages over self-reported dietary data by reducing measurement error and bias.
Hence, we aim to investigate the association between these biomarkers and the risk of several diseases in two Swedish population-based cohorts: the Cohort of 60-Year-Olds (60YO) and the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC), using a case-cohort design.