Introduction
A new study suggests that some of the most popular foods may significantly increase your risk of developing cancer. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that certain foods, such as processed meats, red meat, and sugary drinks, are linked to an increased risk of cancer. While the study did not prove that these foods cause cancer, it did suggest that they may be contributing factors. Eating these foods in moderation or avoiding them altogether may be the best way to reduce your risk. In this article, we will discuss which foods to avoid and which to eat instead.
These Popular Foods Significantly Increase Cancer Risk, New Study Suggests — Eat This Not That
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has found that certain popular foods may significantly increase the risk of cancer. The study, which looked at the diets of over 500,000 people, found that those who ate processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs, and sausages, had a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Additionally, the study found that those who ate red meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb, had a higher risk of developing stomach cancer.
The study also found that those who ate a lot of processed foods, such as chips, crackers, and cookies, had a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Additionally, those who ate a lot of sugary drinks, such as soda and energy drinks, had a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.
The study’s authors suggest that people should limit their consumption of processed meats, red meat, processed foods, and sugary drinks in order to reduce their risk of developing cancer. They also suggest that people should focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as these foods are associated with a lower risk of cancer.
If you’re looking for healthier alternatives to processed meats, red meat, processed foods, and sugary drinks, consider these options:
- Grilled chicken or fish instead of bacon, hot dogs, and sausages
- Beans, lentils, and tofu instead of beef, pork, and lamb
- Whole grain breads and cereals instead of chips, crackers, and cookies
- Water, tea, and unsweetened coffee instead of soda and energy drinks
By making these simple swaps, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer and improve your overall health.
It can sometimes be hard to keep track of what’s in pre-prepared and packaged foods. For instance, many processed types of meat contain preservatives called nitrates and nitrites.
While that might mean you’re consuming a fair share of both, Blair Persyn, MS, RDN, LDN, CNSC, and owner of Bites With Blair, LLC, tells Eat This, Not That!, “Nitrites create N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) in the body, which are potential carcinogens. Also, nitrates can be converted into nitrites in the gut, making both compounds a concern.”
Persyn adds that “N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) in the gut cause damage to DNA, which can eventually lead to cancer.”
Related: The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Says Science
Indeed, a recent study that was published by Oxford University Press took a look at 101,056 adults and compared the risks of developing cancer between those who consumed nitrates and nitrites and those who did not.
The results suggested that regularly consuming products that contain nitrates increases the risk of breast cancer by around 25%. Beyond that, eating a high amount of food that contains nitrites increases the risk of prostate cancer by almost 60%.
“While this study is observational, it still has a large sample size and looks at a population of women that are somewhat health-conscious,” Persyn notes. “This means that the effect of these compounds is potentially more detrimental in the general population, who are typically eating less antioxidant-rich foods in their diet. Correlation does not mean causation for observational studies, but nitrates and nitrites have been proven to be carcinogenic in animal studies and the correlation in humans definitely warrants further investigation.”
If you want to avoid nitrates and nitrites in your diet, Persyn says people can do so “by omitting—or at least reducing their consumption of—processed meats like lunch meat, hot dogs, bacon, salami, sausage, and bologna.”
Persyn adds that “instead of the ultra-processed meats, people can opt for the fresh cuts of meat and poultry from the deli counter in grocery stores. We can also decrease our risk by including more antioxidant-rich foods in our diet—from a wide variety of plant-based foods—as they can help inhibit NOCs from forming.”
To find out more about what you might not have realized you’ve been eating, be sure to read 30 Shocking Secret Ingredients Hiding in Your Favorite Foods.
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