Cancer is a prevailing health condition in the world today. Cancer has been known to arise as a result of several causes, with the most common one being hereditary. There are certain foods that can increase your cancer risks. Diet-related cancer risk are higher among men and middle aged adults. Foods increase the risk of cancer because of certain chemical substances which they may contain. Cancer-causing foods include;
- Margarine
Margarine is full of trans fats, and is heavily processed from oils like soy and corn. The process exposes the oil to high temperatures, which causes a rise in dangerous free radicals that increase cancer risk. At one time, margarine was hailed as a healthy alternative to butter, but new research has discovered that organic, grass fed butter is actually far better for you.
- Soft Drinks
Sugar has been shown to feed cancer cells, and soft drinks are packed full of refined sugars. Soft drinks are just as damaging to health, as there is the risk of obesity, which leads to a bigger risk of breast, colon, kidney, endometrial and pancreatic cancers.
- Canned Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes are very good for health as they contain many nutrients, including a cancer-fighting compound called lycopene. However, once they are canned, they are exposed to BPA, which leaches from the can because of the high acidity level of tomatoes. This chemical has been linked to cancer, but also to heart disease and reproductive issues.
- Fried Foods
Fried foods increase your risk of obesity as well as cancer and other serious health conditions. This is mainly because of the hydrogenated oils the food is fried in. High consumption of trans fats leads to inflammation, insulin resistance and a higher risk of cancer.
- Potato Chips
Potato chips are a delightful snack, but regular consumption is advised against. Chips are likely fried in hydrogenated oils, but they also contain colors, preservatives and artificial flavors. A chemical called acrymalide is often used, which is a known carcinogen.
- Diet Foods
A lot of low-fat or ‘diet’ foods are marketed as being healthy because they have low or no fats, but they’re packed full of sugar instead. Often, artificial sweeteners are used to keep the calorie count down, and the sweeteners themselves pose health risks and can be a cause of cancer if consumed regularly.
- Red Meat
. Research is conflicting, but it has been found that red meat contains substances linked to colon cancer, but you can reduce your cancer risk by eating 18 ounces or less of red meat. Adults should reduce their intake of red meat and take more of vegetable. Red meat can be replaced with other proteins in the diet.
- White Flour
If you choose to follow an anti-cancer diet, you should focus on low glycemic index (GI) foods, as this starves the tumors and cancer cells. Refined grains, such as white flour are high glycemic index foods, and white flour is found in many foodstuff like cake, bread, biscuits, cracker and most baked goods.
- Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated oils are vegetable oils. They are commonly used in many foods in your pantry to preserve and keep their shelf life, yet they are also linked to cancer, birth defects, heart disease and many other fatalities. Never cook with hydrogenated oils and try to use healthy oils like olive oil and canola oil.
- Alcohols
Alcohols are the second leading cause of cancer, right behind tobacco. While a moderate or low consumption of alcohol can be healthy and lead to a reduced risk of heart disease, excessive drinking is known to cause heart failure, stroke, and sudden death. Excessive alcohol use is the biggest cause of mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, mouth, rectum and breast cancers. Reduce your alcohol intake to reduce your risk of cancer.
Although foods have shown to increase the risk of cancer, still bear in mind that there are several other foods that can be used to reduce the risk of cancer. To this note, it is better to have a good knowledge of the impact of your diet to your general health. Eat healthy and enjoy a disease-free long life.