Top Cancer Causing Foods to Avoid

By Collins Onyango
Food and beverages you consume, the fuel your body uses to fight disease is critical to your overall health. While food may be essential to your overall well being, some (foods) may be worse than others and could be predispose you to many conditions and diseases including cancer

There are cases where cancer strikes suddenly but often, it manifests progressively after years of specific habits. Good examples of this are smoking and frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays, which result in lung cancer and skin cancer, respectively.

Regularly consistently eating the foods in our top list can also lead to heart disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. The truth of the matter is that, indeed many common food items have been scientifically proven to increase cancer risk and some of them substantially.

 1. Genetically Modified Foods (GM Os)

The GMO foods are often modified to withstand heavy doses of a pesticide called glyphosate or are engineered to contain a toxin that kills bugs The rapidly growing industries of genetically modified crops continue to infiltrate our food supply at an alarming rate. While this new culture may be fairly new source of cancer, several experts agree that GMO foods could be next source of cancer. Genes inserted into GM soy, for example, can transfer into the DNA of comensals (bacteria living inside us). In one study, toxic insecticide produced by GM corn was found in the blood of pregnant women and their unborn foetuses.

In addition, glyphosate, one of the most common pesticide sprayed on GM crops and an additional 200 crops, has been linked to Non-Hodgkin’sLymphoma, birth defects, growth of human breast cancer cells, among other effects

However, one can avoid GM Os by sticking with certified organic, certified non-GMO verified and locally-grown foods produced naturally in absence of biotechnology

2. Microwave Popcorn

The smell that first hits you when you open a bag of popcorn is perhaps one of the most satisfying, but it could pose danger to your health

Microwave popcorn has been at the centre of lung cancer debates around the world. From the chemical-lined bag to its actual contents, conventional microwave popcorn bags are lined with a chemical called perfluorooctanoicacid ( PFOA); same toxin found in Teflon. PFOA significantly increases the risk of kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas and testicular cancers according to recent study at the University of California

It is so EASY to make your own popcorn from scratch and you can avoid all of these health pitfalls. This recipe takes 5 mins. The additional 2 minutes (over microwave popcorn) is time definitely worth committing to.

3. Canned Foods

Most cans are lined with a product called bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been shown to genetically alter the brain cells of rats. Many plastic goods, thermal paper, water lines, and many dental composites also contain BPA.

Trying to avoid the BPA in canned foods can be a challenge but may seem simple.

Of course, fresh vegetables and beef products are always the best option. Check out what's local and seasonal in your area—they're likely the least expensive, freshest and tastiest produce selections around

4. Processed Meats

Although grilling tastes delicious, scientific studies continue to reveal that when you grill red meat and specifically processed meats like hot dogs – it releases a carcinogen called heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA). Several processed meat products, such as lunch meats, bacon, sausage, and hot dogs, contain HAA, a chemical preservative that make them appear fresh and appealing, but has potential to cause cancer

A recent largest study to highlight this question, published on line  BMC Medicine, found a moderate positive association between processed meat consumption and mortality. This was particularly true for cancer, but was also true for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

5. Refined Sugars and High Sugar Consumption

It is a fact that sugar feeds every cell in our body — even cancer cells. But, it (sugar intake) doesn’t necessarily result in cancer. It’s what sugar does to your waistline that may lead to cancer. Too much sugar calories may result in weight gain, and obese increases your risk for cancer and other diseases.

Refined sugar is a not only typically GMO (because it’s genetically modified sugar beets), but it rapidly spikes insulin levels. High fructose (HFCS) is the biggest threat because it is the source of major insulin spikes and feed the growth of cancer cells.

Published in the Journal of Clinical, a study uncovered identified sugar, not only as fuel source for an already existing cancer, but as a primary driver in oncogenesis – i.e. the initiation of cancerous characteristics (phenotype) within previously healthy cells.

6. Salted, Pickled, and Smoked Foods

Most published epidemiological studies positively associate salt or salted food consumption to stomach cancer risk. Preservatives increase the life of foods by controlling the growth of undesirable molds, yeast and bacteria in food that can cause spoilage and illnesses. These preservatives used include nitrates that can accumulate in the body over-time and eventually, their toxins result in cellular damage and later progress to diseases like cancer. At high temperatures especially during cooking, the nitrates are converted to the much more dangerous carcinogenic nitrites.

7. Soda and Carbonated Beverages

For the last two decade sodas have been at the centre of the health debate. Enriched with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), dyes, and a host of other chemicals, they pose risk for your health despite zero nutritional value. Loaded with sugar, food chemicals, and colourings, soda acidifies the body and literally feeds cancer cells. Common soda derivatives like caramel color and its precursor 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) have also specifically been linked causing cancer.

8. Hydrogenated Oils

Hydrogenated oils, like vegetable oil, contain trans-fats (also called trans-saturated fats or trans-fatty acids) widely used in processed foods. They are packed with unhealthy omega-6fats and have been proven to structure and flexibility of cell membranes throughout the body, which can lead to a host of debilitating diseases such as cancer membranes.

Most trans-fat is formed through an industrial process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil, which causes the oil to become solid at room temperature and present in a variety of food products, including:

• Baked goods. Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans-fat.
•  Snacks. Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans-fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans-fat to help cook or flavor the popcorn.
• Fried food. Foods that require deep frying — French fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans-fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
• Refrigerator dough. Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans-fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
• Creamer and margarine. Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarine also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

You stay away from hydrogenated oil by choosing coconut, palm, or olive oil. Organic butter is a better option as well. Some meat and dairy products contain small amounts of naturally occurring trans-fat.

9. Farmed Fish

Eating fish has long been regarded as healthy option. That could have been absolutely true, but today in most cases; it’s only partially true statement. Where your fish comes from is of paramount importance! There is a vast different between wild caught fish and farmed fish. Commercial fish farming involves raising an incredible number of fish – such as salmon – in a crowded environment.  

Over 60% of the salmon consumed come from farms where they are treated with antibiotics, pesticides, and other carcinogenic chemicals.

Besides, farmed fish gives you higher levels of inflammation producing omega-6 fatty acids, and lower levels of inflammation fighting heart and brain healthy omega-3s

A study conducted at the University of New York at Albany found that dioxin levels in farm-raised salmon are 11 times higher than those in wild salmon.

World Health Organisation (WHO) describes Dioxins as one of the “dirty dozen,” because they are highly toxic and are stored for a long time in the body: their half- life in fat cells is 7 to 11 years.

Dioxins impair the endocrine, immune, nervous and reproductive systems and are carcinogens.

10. Potato Chips/ French Fries

Potato Chips/ French Fries are fast food staples fried in hydrogenated vegetable oil and then heavily salted. Aside from trans-fats, potato chips and other junk foods include carbohydrates, preservatives, salt and artificial colour's and flavors. Foods cooked in high temperatures lead to the formation of carcinogens like acrylamide, which is connected to different cases of cancer. Both French fries and potato chips have been found to have higher levels of acrylamide that studies have shown increase the risk of cancer

1. Consumer Warning:Processed Meats Cause Cancer
2. Increased sugar uptake promotes oncogenesis via EPAC/RAP1 and O-GlcNAc pathway
3.  Top10 Cancer Causing Foods
4.   Top10 most unhealthy,cancer-causing foods - never eat these again! 
5. Top11 cancer causing foods to avoid that you might eat everyday