Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). But despite its reputation, cancer is a preventable disease. It is largely influenced by lifestyle choices, such as nutrition and physical activity.

Unfortunately, several processed and commercially available foods contain compounds that are linked to an increased risk of cancer.

The following are common cancer-causing foods to avoid.

Processed meat

According to the WHO, processed meat refers to any type of meat that has undergone processes to enhance flavor or prolong shelf life, such as salting, curing, smoking and fermentation. However, most commercially processed meats like hams, hotdogs, sausages and corned beef contain high amounts of carcinogenic food preservatives like sodium nitrite. As a result, commercially processed meats can significantly increase the risk of several cancers including colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. Additionally, commercially processed meats often contain dirty meat by-products like blood, bone, fatty tissues and intestines.

Refined sugar

Refined sugar is typically made by extracting the natural sugar of fruits, grains and vegetables. Afterward, it is processed to create refined sugar. Often, refined sugar is added to processed foods and beverages like cookies, breakfast cereals, chocolate bars, sodas and energy drinks to improve sweetness. But refined sugar tends to increase blood sugar levels, damage insulin sensitivity and encourage the growth of cancer cells. In particular, a type of refined sugar known as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer.

“Diet” foods and beverages

Don’t let labels fool you. Despite claims to zero-calorie and sugar-free content, diet beverages are no different from the typical sodas, energy drinks and commercially processed fruit juices that contain high amounts of refined sugar. That being said, diet beverages are more likely to cause a host of diseases including cancer and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to the presence of aspartame, an artificial sweetener. Meanwhile, processed foods like low-fat yogurt, sugar-free cookies and reduced-fat peanut butter also contain harmful artificial sweeteners like sucralose and saccharin.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

GMOs are commercially available fruits and vegetables that have been artificially manipulated using chemicals to taste or look a certain way. Common GMOs include alfalfa, corn, potato and papaya. Numerous animal studies have shown that the consumption of GMOs caused mammary tumors, liver failure and premature death in rats. Additionally, GMOs are often exposed to pesticides that contain various carcinogens like organochlorines, creosote and sulfallate.

Microwave popcorn

Microwave popcorn is an especially addicting snack that has very grave consequences. Microwave popcorn bags are lined with chemicals, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), that are linked to liver, testicular and pancreatic tumors. Additionally, the popcorn kernels themselves are doused in artificial melted butter flavoring that contains harmful chemicals linked to lung cancer, such as diacetyl, acetylpropionyl and acetoin.

Farm-raised salmon

Fatty fishes like salmon are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids that support cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, most commercially available salmons are farm-raised. Often, large-scale fisheries use fish ponds that contain pesticides and antibiotics, which contaminate the fish and increase the risk of cancer.

Hydrogenated oil

Most processed foods contain hydrogenated oil, a type of oil that has been chemically extracted from plants like olives, sunflowers and soybeans. But unlike canola oil or olive oil, hydrogenated oil is chock full of trans fats that severely increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Hydrogenated oil is commonly linked to several grave conditions including heart attack, stroke and breast cancer. Foods that contain high amounts of trans fats include margarine, pizza, fried chicken and french fries.

Processed foods

The price of convenience is often steep, especially with regards to processed foods. For instance, the lining of aluminum cans and plastic packaging contains high amounts of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that disrupts hormone production. BPA is also linked to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, infertility and metabolic disorders. Commercially processed foods that are at risk of BPA contamination include canned tomatoes, beans and mushrooms, among others.

Several commercially available foods contain chemicals and compounds that severely increase the risk of cancer. Fortunately, you can minimize or totally eliminate this risk following a balanced diet that contains various nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains.

Sources:

WHO.int

TheBreastCancerCharities.org

IARC.fr