Introduction
Eating habits can have a major impact on your health, and new research suggests that one particular habit may be increasing your risk of cancer. Eat This Not That is here to help you identify the #1 worst eating habit and provide tips on how to make healthier choices. Eating a balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health, and this article will provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your health.
The #1 Worst Eating Habit Increasing Your Risk of Cancer, New Research Suggests — Eat This Not That
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has identified the #1 worst eating habit that increases your risk of cancer. The study found that consuming processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats, is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
The study analyzed data from more than 500,000 people in 10 European countries and found that those who ate the most processed meats had a 20% higher risk of colorectal cancer than those who ate the least. The researchers also found that the risk increased with the amount of processed meat consumed.
The researchers concluded that reducing the consumption of processed meats could help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. They recommend that people should limit their intake of processed meats and instead opt for healthier alternatives, such as lean meats, fish, and plant-based proteins.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence linking processed meats to an increased risk of cancer. The World Health Organization has classified processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that they cause cancer. Therefore, it is important to limit your intake of processed meats and instead opt for healthier alternatives.
The next time you’re sitting down to do your meal planning for the week, you might want to make sure that the food on your list offers plenty of folate (vitamin B9) and other kinds of vitamin B.
While both can help keep you feeling healthier and younger, new data has found that not getting enough folate and vitamins in the B group can lead to issues that are connected to cancer.
“A deficit of certain nutrients is one of the nutritional factors that are involved in the initiation phase, including folate and B group vitamins (B12, B6, B3), which leads to chromosomal ruptures, DNA hypomethylation, and increased sensitivity to mutagens,” according to Pedro Carrera Bastos, a doctoral candidate and researcher in nutrition, metabolism, and inflammation at Lund University, Sweden, who addressed the findings during his “Diet and Habits in the Prevention of Carcinogenesis” presentation which took place as part of the 7th International Congress of the Spanish Society of Precision Health.
Related: The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Says Science
“Folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 play an essential role in methionine synthesis and DNA methylation. When DNA methylation is altered, there is a higher chance of gene mutations and DNA damage, which could eventually lead to cancer,” Blair Persyn, MS, RDN, LDN, CNSC, registered dietitian and owner of Bites With Blair, LLC, tells Eat This, Not That!.
Indeed, Blair explains that “because of its role in DNA methylation, folate deficiency has been associated with increased risk of cancer.” At the same time, “some studies have also found a link between excess folic acid and increased cancer risk.”
That’s why Blair says that it’s important “to make sure we are including folate-rich foods in our diet without going overboard by supplementing above the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance).”
To ensure that you’re doing just that, Blair notes that “men and women 19 and older should aim to get 400 mcg DFE (Dietary Folate Equivalents), pregnant women should aim to get 600 mcg DFE, and lactating women should aim to get 500 mcg DFE.”
“Some of my favorite plant-based sources of B vitamins are legumes, leafy greens, nutritional yeast, whole grains, nuts, and seeds,” Blair says. “We can ensure we are getting enough B vitamins by eating a balanced diet with a variety of different foods.”
To find out more about getting the nutrients you need to stay healthy, be sure to read The 9 Most Essential Vitamins You Need in Your Diet, According to Yale Experts.
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