Have you ever wondered why the death rate of people by cancer has increased not just in a particular country or region but worldwide. Cancer has become a common affliction around the globe irrespective of people’s age. Every year the stats are increasing. According to a report by the world health organization (WHO) in 2020 about 10 million people died of cancer. What might be the reason?
Cancer is basically a group of diseases in which the cells of body’s particular part grow rapidly, uncontrollably and spread to other organs of the body. Carcinogen is a chemical or a group of chemicals that have the ability to induce or increase the chances of cancer. Foods that we consume in our day to day life may contain carcinogens and we gobble them in ignorance. Ten such edible items which are cancer causing agents which one can avoid in their diet in order to lead a healthy risk free life are:
- REFINED SUGAR:
Manipulating people with its sweet taste, sugar is a master of disguise. Our meals are almost incomplete without consuming sugar in one form or the other. But the requirement of sugar in the body can be fulfilled by daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Depriving the body of its vitamins and minerals in order to be digested, refined or processed sugar is in fact a slow poison. Eating food with high concentration of sugar increases the risk of type 2 diabetes which in turn increases the risk certain type of cancers like ovarian cancer.
- PROCESSED MEAT-
Are you fond of eating salami, hot dogs, sausages, salted or cured meat, cured bacon and ham? Well you must think twice before munching your favorite forms of meat. Studies have shown that people consuming processed meat are more likely to suffer from bowel and stomach cancer. It’s not a new fact that processed meat is related to several kinds of meats in the body. This makes the deli meat a common food that causes cancer. WHO classified processed meat as a group 1 carcinogen and, therefore it should definitely be avoided.
- CANNED FOOD
Canned vegetables, especially tomatoes, despite being healthy and fresh have a potential to cause serious cancer. The concern here is not the food inside the can, but instead the cans are at fault. The lining of the cans is added with the coating of bisphenol-A popularly known as BPA in order to retain the freshness and usability of the food. BPA increases the risk of a number of diseases including breast cancer, prostate cancer, early puberty and infertility. Alternative of the canned food can be food stored in glass, porcelain or stainless-steel containers.
- OVERPROCESSED FOOD
Another excessively popular cancer causing food is the overcooked ones. Turning starchy crispy brown by heating it at a temperature of 120 degree Celsius and above, not only makes it harder to metabolize but also results in the formation of acrylamide, a chemical which is also found in cigarettes, which is widely considered to be a carcinogen.
- BLEACHED FLOUR
Researches have proved the link between obesity and cancer and our lifestyle and food preferences are becoming a key factor in both the complexities. Bleached flour is not only deprived of its nutrients but bleached flour is treated with chemicals like benzoyl peroxide, potassium bromate, or chlorine, which makes it so fit for baking. These chemicals are linked with kidney damage and even cancer.
- RED MEAT
Red meat is the meat of the farm reared mammals in spite of being rich in vitamins like B3, B6, and B12 and a good source of protein, consumption of red meat has always been an issue of discussion. It is one of the most nutritious foods one can eat but at the same time overeating red meat is associated with an increased risk of heart diseases, diabetes and cancer.
- HYDROGENATED-OILS
Hydrogenated oils have trans fats, an unsaturated fat which has several adverse effects on health. Some of our favorite delicacies including fried foods, baked goods, coffee creamers, potato chips and many more are prepared using hydrogenated oils. The oil attacks the structure of the cell membrane and results in several diseases, increase inflammation, negatively affect heart health and blood sugar control and can even cause cancer.
- MICROWAVED POPCORN–
Just like in case of canned food the problem here is not with the popcorns but with the popcorn bags. Microwave popcorn bags are lined with perflouroctanic acid, a compound that has been associated with various types of cancers including liver, testicular and pancreatic cancer.
- FARMED FISH-
Fishes are rich source of protein and omega 3. Farmed fish are fed unnatural diets and are contaminated with chemicals, antibiotics pesticides and other known carcinogens .Being nowhere near as healthy as wild salmon farmed salmon, eating farmed fish puts you at a really high risk of developing cancer.
- SOFT DRINGS AND SODAS–
Contrary to its name soft drinks are actually really harsh on our bodies. Loaded with artificial sweeteners, unnatural colors and food chemical, there are no doubt these beverages can cause cancer too. Soft drinks and soda pops succeed in acidifying our body and thus feeding cancer cells.
