While many factors (i.e., family history, smoking, etc.) play a role, a person’s diet can also have an impact on their risk of developing cancer. This is because certain foods contain ingredients that favor abnormal cell growth and division. Knowing what foods to avoid can help you to reduce your risk of developing certain cancers. While there is no foolproof way to avoid getting this disease, cancers can be treated with medications such as inlyta, zepzelca, relugolix, imfinzi, erleada. Additionally, the following list of cancer causing foods could help you to make better choices regarding your diet and health:
1. Processed meats
Processed meats rank high on the list of cancer causing foods. The reason being is that processed meats contain preservatives that are not friendly to the body. Without certain preservatives food items such as lunch meat, bacon, sausage, pepperoni and hot dogs would not last that long on store shelves. These food items can be consumed but only in moderation. Consistently eating preserved meat over time will lead to health problems and increase cancer risks.
2. Soda
Pop is a drink that doesn’t get much respect. This drink item is a favorite beverage for millions of people but its contents are not compatible with the human body. What makes pop a cancer causing agent has to do with excessive sugar, an ingredient called 4-methylimidazole, caramel coloring and carbonation. Each of these ingredients disrupt human cells at a molecular level. They also put a strain on various systems within your body. In short soda is something that should only be consumed once in a while or not at all.
3. White sugar
White sugar is processed sugar and it is used in many of the foods within the American diet. Refined sugar comes in many forms (such as corn syrup) and it can cause cancer cells to form over time. Refined sugar usually leads to obesity and it too can also cause cancer. Also, it has been proven that this substance increases a person’s insulin levels and increased insulin levels have been linked to cancer development. This is true for esophageal cancer. Keep in mind that a person will have to eat large quantities of sugar over time before cancer develops.
4. Alcohol
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that alcohol increases a person’s risk for cancer. The more a person drinks, the greater risk they have of catching cancer. People who consistently drink are at risk for developing throat cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. Drinking causes acetaldehyde to develop in your body. When you have too much of this substance in your system it damages your DNA. This in turn stops your body from repairing the normal damage that it experiences. Drinking improves your risk of getting cancer. People who smoke while they drink could also develop lung cancer.
5. Other foods linked to cancer risk
Refined flours, hydrogenated oils, fast foods, processed foods and even microwaved popcorn will increase your risk of cancer. Microwaved popcorn contains the diacetyl chemical which could lead to this condition. Some medical groups and individuals have stated that chemicals used to preserve apples and grapes are cancerous. You would have to routinely eat these foods over the years before developing cancer. When you eat them in moderation or once in a while, they usually don’t cause a problem. Still, you should avoid these cancer-causing foods if you honestly believe they are going to develop cancer in you.