7 cancer-causing foods to avoid….List of top 10 cancer causing foods.
7 FOODS THAT INCREASES THE RISK OF DEVELOPING CANCER AND SOLUTIONS
Unhealthy eating habits and poor food choices can lead to a number of Non Communicable Diseases such as liver, kidney and heart-related diseases. While some can be treated if detected early enough, others like cancer can become life-threatening.
How does food choices lead to cancer?
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but it can be prevented by making relevant lifestyle changes. The cancerous cells grow in the body due to different reasons, and an unhealthy diet is just one of them.
Lack of physical activity, smoking, obesity, alcohol and exposure to UV rays are some other factors that may play a role in it. There is growing evidence that our dietary habits can increase or decrease the risk of cancer risk.
Therefore, to have a reduced risk of cancer, here are 7 foods that you must either reduce or avoid to remain free from cancer in the long run.
📌 1. Processed meat
Meat, poultry, fish and eggs all are healthy, provided they are cooked properly and consumed in moderation. Taking any animal-based products that have been preserved by smoking and salting is unhealthy and can lead to health concerns ranging from weight gain to cancer. The processing of meat produces a compound that can be carcinogens and can put a person at the risk of developing colorectal and stomach cancer. Instead of processed meat like hot dogs, salami and sausage, just cook your raw meat at home.
📌 2. Fried foods
Excessive intake of fried foods is another item that can lead to the growth of cancerous cells in the body. When foods like potatoes or meat are fried at high temperatures, a compound called acrylamide is formed. Studies suggest that this compound has carcinogenic properties and even damage DNA. Besides, fried foods can also increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body that are linked with the growth of cancerous cells. Instead of frying foods, look for other healthier methods of cooking.
📌 3. Diary
There’s some evidence that dairy may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Dairy foods include products like: milk, cheese and yogurt.
According to a 2014 review, eating dairy increases levels of an insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This is associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. IGF-1 may increase the proliferation, or production, of prostate cancer cells.
Men above 30 are more predisposed to suffer from prostate issues. They may need to take diary products in moderation and avoid all forms of abuse that may predispose them to cancer.
📌 4. Refined products
It could be refined flour, sugar or oil, they all have the potential to put you at the risk of developing cancerous cells. Studies suggest that highly processed sugar and carbs can increase the risk of oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which can give way to different types of cancer. Those whose diets are high in refined products are at a greater risk of ovarian, breast, and endometrial (uterine) cancer. These are all women related cancer, so women need lower the intake of refined products by making healthy changes. Instead of sugar have nuts or seeds, replace refined carbs with whole grain and switch from refined oil to vegetables.
📌 5. Canned and packaged foods
The trend of having canned and packaged foods are slowly and steadily surging all over the globe. You can see the market is filled with packaged products that can be cooked instantly and served. Instant noddles is one of the major culprit This can indeed make the cooking process hassle-free, but it can also increase the risk of developing cancer. Most ready to cook packaged are lined with a chemical named Bisphenol A (BPA) Monosodium glutamate. This compounds have been implicated in some studies. If they must be eaten, you need to prepare them well with some vegetables to neutralize the effect of these compounds.
📌 6. Roasted foods
Roasted foods can lead to cancer not because of the roasted food itself but due to the source of the smoke used in roasting. Some people use smoke from rubber, tire and other harmful substances to roast their food. A good firewood or coal remains the best for roasting your foods. Roasted foods cancer cause stomach cancer.
📌 7. Overcooked food
I heard some preganant mothers like eating burnt foods. This pregnancy matter eh😂😂😂
Overcooking foods, especially meats, can produce carcinogens. According to one 2020 article, cooking meat with high heat creates carcinogenic PAHs and heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These substances may increase the risk of cancer by altering the DNA of your cells.
You’re more likely to overcook foods when you cook with high temperatures or just over an open flame. This includes cooking methods like: grilling, barbecuing and pan-frying.
The Food and Drug Administration also states that overcooking starchy foods, like potatoes, increases acrylamide formation (one of the risky compounds that causes cancer).
To reduce your risk of carcinogens from high-heat cooking, try using healthier cooking methods such as:
Blanching, pressure cooking, microwaving with non plastic material, baking or roasting well at lower temperatures or with good firewood, slow cooking in a crock pot or slow cooker.
Conclusion
Processed meat, badly roasted foods, overcooked foods, and fried foods may increase your risk of some types of cancer. That’s because these foods may contain carcinogens, or compounds that cause cancer.
Alcohol produces carcinogens when it’s metabolized by your body. Dairy, sugar, and refined carbs may also raise the risk of some types of cancer.
To reduce your risk for cancer, try and limit the consumption of these foods, and focus on developing healthy lifestyle habits. This includes eating more foods that may lower your cancer risk (including all forms of vegetables to your diet), getting regular exercise, and finding ways to reduce your stress.
I hope you got valuable information? Please let me know in the comment section and endeavour to share for more people to get informed too.
Okereke Soromfechi (RDN)
(Nutrition LIFE)
