It has been repeatedly told by doctors and healthcare experts that cancer, one of the fatal diseases, can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While the trend of trying new dishes and being a foodie thrives, the diet quality of young adults deteriorates. Fast-paced corporate life has robbed off the time to prepare healthy nutritious food and to save time, people are switching to over processed instant foods containing harmful preservatives and chemicals which is the leading cause of underlying health conditions.
As per reports, the estimated number of cancer cases in India for the year 2022 was found to be 14,61,427. One in nine Indians are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. The cases of cancer are estimated to rise by 12.8% in 2025 as compared to 2020.
Studies have also shown that consumption of unhealthy foods can pose a risk of getting cancer. To know which foods can cause cancer and why, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Shraddha Bhosale, Consultant Dietician, Adhikari Lifeline Multispeciality Hospital, Palghar.
Foods That Can Cause Cancer
Dietician Bhosale pointed out some foods that can cause cancer explaining how it can cause cancer.
1. Processed Meat
According to Bhosale, processed meat is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen and is associated with colorectal and stomach cancer. “Nitrates and nitrites are added to keep meat that has been processed fresh for longer. Nitrates and nitrites, when consumed, can form N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), which can harm the cells lining the stomach. This damage can cause bowel cancer,” she said.
Also read: Foods To Avoid If You're Diagnosed With Stomach Ulcer
2. Alcohol
Liver is responsible to turn the ethanol in alcoholic beverages to acetaldehyde. If you consume too much alcohol, your body will not be able to digest acetaldehyde quickly enough. As per Bhosale, acetaldehyde then accumulates in the body. Acetaldehyde accumulation can induce irreversible DNA damage, leading to cancers like colon cancer.
3. Tobacco
Don't the advertisements raising awareness against cancer causing tobacco shown before a movie starts crush your heart? How can you still consume tobacco after seeing the consequences of its consumption? Bhosale said, “Smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes contains at least 70 chemical compounds that can cause cancer. These molecules enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. Many of these chemicals can harm the DNA, which regulates mitosis that is cell production and guides each type of cell to accomplish what it was designed for. Damaged DNA can cause cells to grow differently than expected and in an uncontrolled manner, causing cancer.”
4. Sugary Drinks And Diet Sodas
Do you think drinking soda from the can reading ‘Diet Coke’ is good for your health? May it be normal aerated drinks or diet sodas, they contain high amounts of added sugars, low satiety and incomplete compensation for total energy. “Excessive sugar consumption contributes to weight gain and obesity. Obesity's underlying factors, such as extra fat cells, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation, are thought to contribute to the development of cancer; in fact, obesity has been related to thirteen different forms of cancer,” Bhosale said.
Also read: Sleep-Sabotaging Snacks: 5 Foods to Steer Clear of Before Bedtime
5. Fast Foods And Packaged Foods
Food items like cookies and chips, frozen dinners, sugary cereals, beverages, spreads like margarine and cream cheese, sweets like chocolates and chocolate, and fast food options like burgers, pizza, and fried chicken are unhealthy foods. “To improve the taste and shelf life of these goods, manufacturers add chemicals such as flavourings, colours, emulsifiers, and other additives. Processed foods frequently contain excessive levels of sodium, sugar, fat, and cancer-causing chemicals. They are also typically deficient in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fibre. A high-processed-food diet can result in obesity, which is a risk associated with cancer,” Bhosale said.
Conclusion
Limiting or ceasing the consumption of these foods can greatly benefit your health and keep you away from fatal diseases like cancer. Be mindful of what you eat in order to stay fit and healthy.
(Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. We advise you to connect with your healthcare provider for better understanding of what to eat and what to avoid as per your health condition.)