Cancer is one of the deadliest and unfortunately one of the most common health conditions striking the Indian population. Under normal conditions, human body cells generate, grow and die to regenerate again. This cycle of cell growth takes place within a fixed time and keeps our body healthy and strong. However, cancer relates to a condition where this cell development is interrupted and they continue to grow and do not die. This abnormal behavior of the human immune system may have ample reasons that relate to our own lifestyle and food habits.
In recent times, cancer hospitals in India have seen a huge increase in patients suffering from the ailment or are prone to the condition. Doctors are of the opinion that most of these cases could be avoided if people are aware of their healthy food habits and a proper lifestyle. Therefore, this article lists down common food items, consumption of which can make you prone to cancer.
Here are a few of the top food items that contain a large amount of carcinogen and may cause cancer:
1. Processed Flour
Consuming a large amount of processed flour can be dangerous, as it contains high levels of carbohydrates. An unhealthy level of carbohydrates within the body can lead to an imbalance of blood sugar levels causing increased production of insulin that feeds cancer cells. Therefore, it is always suggested that food items such as white bread, white pasta, soda, and concentrated fruit juices need to be avoided to a great extent.
2. Carbonated Beverages
Carbonated beverages contain high levels of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and other chemicals that stand as one of the most important causatives of cancer. Apart from cancer, aerated drinks such as soda may lead to a series of minor health issues that later take up a notorious form. Additionally, these drinks have no food value and therefore can be conveniently replaced with more nutritious health drinks.
3. Popcorn packed in microwave-safe bags
In conventional packaging, microwave-safe bags are lined with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also called C8. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to PFOA can lead to cancerous cell development in kidneys, bladder, liver, and testicles. Therefore, doctors suggest that popcorn packed in microwave-safe bags needs to be avoided so as to prevent cancer.
4. Canned food items
Edibles sold in cans are exceptionally getting popular among the younger generation. Although these may turn out to be quite convenient for most of us, they have their own dark sides affecting our health quotient. Packaged cans are lined with bisphenol-A (BPA) that has a devastating effect on the DNA structures leading to numerous health problems including cancer. Out of all canned foods, processed tomatoes sold in tins are said to be the most popular choice and thus the strongest causative of cancer.
5. Salted, Pickled and Smoked food
Salted, pickled, and smoked food items contain nitrates for extended and prolonged shelf life. Excessive consumption of such processed edibles can lead to cellular damage causing cancer. Further, when nitrate-rich food products are cooked at high temperatures, nitrates take a more notorious form leading to serious health issues apart from making you more prone to cancerous cell development.
6. Refined Sugar and Foods containing them
The largest cancer-causing food item is refined sugar and dishes prepared using them. Processed sugar contains a high amount of high-fructose corn syrup (HFSC) that causes insulin spikes feeding cancerous cells. Therefore, it is always suggested that refined sugar needs to be replaced with organic honey, maple, or coconut sugar that has the same taste and a much higher nutrient value.
7. Farm Raised Salmon
Salmon may lead to cancer, may come up as a very contradictory statement as it is known to be one of the healthiest of all fishes. However, unfortunately, most salmon is farm-raised and contain a lot of chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides. These carcinogenic rich salmons are further soaked in toxins and therefore appear to be fattier than fresh salmons. Thus, for all those who want an omega – 3 rich diet, natural salmon is what you need to opt for instead of the farm-raised ones.
8. Potato Chips
All of us are aware of the presence of high trans-fat content in potato chips that lead to obesity. However, most of us despite knowing the fact do consume a lot of these packaged potato chips sold at very affordable prices. Apart from gaining unnecessary weight, these also lead to serious health issues because of the presence of acrylamide, a carcinogen abundantly present in cigarettes. Although a rare case, consumption of chips may lead to cancer and worsen already existing health issues.
9. Grilled Red Meat
Grilled food items, especially red meat are rich in a special type of carcinogen known as heterocyclic aromatic amines. This causes cancer and therefore needs to be replaced with baked or broiled meat.
Any health issue big or small is ultimately related to our own lifestyle and food habits. Cancer is a deadly disease that proves fatal in most cases. Undergoing treatment procedures for cancer available in most hospitals in India are long-term and leave your body weak. Therefore, it is always advised to take good care of ourselves to avoid reaching such a level where treatment becomes irreplaceable. Thus, now that you are aware of the food items causing cancer you may plan a good and healthy diet to prevent cancer and similar diseases.
