Cancer is a disease marked by abnormal cell division that can spread to surrounding tissues and destroy them. This complex disease can spread throughout your body. However, the survival rates are promisingly improving for several types of cancer. This reading shares insights into food choices leading to cancer or increasing cancer risks.
Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, etc. and other essential micronutrients may lower the risk of malignant growth. But you must know what food choices you should avoid or limit. Connect with the most reputed oncology centre in North Bengal for optimum cancer diagnosis and treatment. Besides diet, genetic makeup and family history also have a role here.
Given below are five foods that may increase the likelihood of cancer:
#1 Processed Meats
Any type of meat processed by curing, canning, fermentation, smoking, and salting can lead to the development of cancer-causing chemicals like Nitrates, or Nitrites, which may develop into N-nitroso chemicals/NOCs. Below are examples of processed meats:
- Salami
- Beef jerky
- Corned beef
- Ham
- Hot dogs
- Sausage
- Bacon
NOCs can damage or destroy the cells lining the bowel. Especially, the risk of bowel cancer here is higher. Many researchers in a 2018 review by PubMed Central stated an increased risk of breast cancer associated with processed meats.
#2 Sugar
An indirect link is there between sugar and cancer risks. Cells in your body utilize sugar/glucose for energy that comes from your diet in many forms, such as fruits, veggies, table sugar, dairy products and added refined sugar. Consult the leading cancer specialists at the top oncology centre in North Bengal.
The main problem may be with refined/added sugar, which isn’t naturally present in foods. Frequent/excessive consumption of refined/added sugar found in baked goods, cake, candy, and sweetened beverages contribute to high-calorie intake, leading to weight gain and unhealthy body fat.
#3 Fried Foods
Deep frying food can produce a compound known as acrylamide. It’s a carcinogen associated with cancer risk. Cooking starchy foods at high temperature contain more unhealthy fats/calories.
Sometimes these foods such as potatoes and other veggies are coated with flour, butter, etc. causing more harm to your health. Eating deep-fried foods may contribute to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc.
#4 Alcohol
Alcohol is a widely known risk factor for almost all diseases. Plus, alcohol consumption interferes with healing. The liver breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde and it’s a carcinogenic compound, which encourages oxidative stress and DNA damage.
In this case, the immune function gets disturbed/suppressed, making it hard for the body to aim at precancerous and malignant cells. The consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of melanoma and pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, etc.
#5 Processed Foods
Consumption of ultra-processed food might put you at risk of cancer. Obesogenic properties and lack of nutrients and harmful additives may be linked to an increased risk of malignant growth. Some examples of processed foods:
- Bacon
- Sausages
- Soda
- Packaged snacks
- Frankfurt
- Sugary cereals
Reduce the intake of these food choices to experience good health and be in good health. Try eating wholesome foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, plant-based milk, etc. Adding these food choices to your eating habits benefits your well-being. At the same time, physical activity is vital to your fitness. Reach out to the best cancer hospital in Siliguri and speak to the specialists.