A new study is raising questions about a possible link between healthy diets and lung cancer risk in younger non-smokers, with researchers pointing to pesticide exposure as a potential factor.

The findings were presented by the University of Southern California – Health Sciences at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, focusing on patients under 50 diagnosed with lung cancer despite never smoking.

Researchers say the results highlight a growing trend of lung cancer cases in younger, non-smoking adults, particularly women, despite overall declines in smoking-related diagnoses.

Study links higher diet quality to lung cancer cases in young non-smokers

The research analyzed 187 patients as part of the Epidemiology of Young Lung Cancer Project, looking at diet, lifestyle, and diagnosis data. Most participants had never smoked and were diagnosed before the age of 50.

According to lead investigator Jorge Nieva, younger non-smokers with lung cancer reported significantly healthier diets than the general population.

“Our research shows that younger non-smokers who eat a higher quantity of healthy foods than the general population are more likely to develop lung cancer,” Nieva said.

Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index, where participants averaged a score of 65 compared to the national average of 57. They also reported higher daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Women in the study not only had higher diet scores than men but were also more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer within this age group.

Researchers point to pesticide exposure as possible factor

The study suggests that pesticide exposure from conventionally grown produce could be a contributing factor, though it does not confirm a direct cause.

Nieva noted that fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can carry higher pesticide residues compared to other food categories. He also referenced higher lung cancer rates among agricultural workers exposed to pesticides as supporting evidence.

However, researchers did not directly measure pesticide levels in participants. Instead, exposure was estimated using existing data on pesticide residue across food groups.

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Unsplash: @jKakaroto

The team plans to conduct further testing using blood and urine samples to better understand whether specific pesticides may be linked to increased cancer risk.

While lung cancer is typically associated with older adults and smoking, cases among non-smokers under 50, especially women, have been rising in recent years.

“This work represents a critical step toward identifying modifiable environmental factors that may contribute to lung cancer in young adults,” Nieva said.

This comes after a July 2025 study that said cheese gives you nightmares, and another study back in December revealed smelling your own farts can fight off alzheimers