Can Eating Too Much of Certain Foods Cause Cancer?

Did You Know That Eating Too Much of Certain Foods May Increase Cancer Risk?

It’s difficult to prove that certain foods cause cancer. However, observational studies have repeatedly indicated that high consumption of certain foods may increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

*Sugar and Refined Carbs Processed foods that are high in sugar and low in fiber and nutrients have been linked to a higher cancer risk. In particular, researchers have found that a diet that causes blood glucose levels to spike is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including stomach, breast and colorectal cancers.

One study in over 47,000 adults found that those who consumed a diet high in refined carbs were almost twice as likely to die from colon cancer than those who ate a diet low in refined carbs. It’s thought that higher levels of blood glucose and insulin are cancer risk factors. Insulin has been shown to stimulate cell division, supporting the growth and spread of cancer cells and making them more difficult to eliminate.

In addition, higher levels of insulin and blood glucose can contribute to inflammation in your body. In the long term, this can lead to the growth of abnormal cells and possibly contribute to cancer. This may be why people with diabetes — a condition characterized by high blood glucose and insulin levels — have an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

For example, your risk of colorectal cancer is 22% higher if you have diabetes. To protect against cancer, limit or avoid foods that boost insulin levels, such as foods high in sugar and refined carbs.

*Processed Meat The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) deems processed meat a carcinogen — something that can cause cancer. Processed meat refers to meat that has been treated to preserve flavor by undergoing salting, curing or smoking. It includes hot dogs, ham, bacon, chorizo, salami and some deli meats.

Observational studies have found an association between consuming processed meat and an increased cancer risk, particularly colorectal cancer. A large review of studies found that people who ate large amounts of processed meat had a 20–50% increased risk of colorectal cancer, compared to those who ate very little or none of this type of food.

Another review of over 800 studies found that consuming just 50 grams of processed meat each day — around four slices of bacon or one hot dog — raised the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. Some observational studies have also linked red meat consumption to an increased cancer risk. However, these studies often don’t distinguish between processed meat and unprocessed red meat, which skews results.

Several reviews that combined results from multiple studies found that the evidence linking unprocessed red meat to cancer is weak and inconsistent.

*Overcooked Food Cooking certain foods at high temperatures, such as grilling, frying, sautéing, broiling and barbequing, can produce harmful compounds like heterocyclic amines (HA) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Excess buildup of these harmful compounds can contribute to inflammation and may play a role in the development of cancer and other diseases.

Certain foods, such as animal foods high in fat and protein, as well as highly processed foods, are most likely to produce these harmful compounds when subjected to high temperatures. These include meat — particularly red meat — certain cheeses, fried eggs, butter, margarine, cream cheese, mayonnaise, oils and nuts. To minimize cancer risk, avoid burning food and choose gentler cooking methods, especially when cooking meat, such as steaming, stewing or boiling. Marinating food can also help.

*Dairy Several observational studies have indicated that high dairy consumption may increase the risk of prostate cancer. One study followed almost 4,000 men with prostate cancer. Results showed that high intakes of whole milk increased the risk of disease progression and death.

More research is needed to determine possible cause and effect. Theories suggest that these findings are due to an increased intake of calcium, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) or estrogen hormones from pregnant cows — all of which have been weakly linked to prostate cancer.

Source [Healthline]