These Foods Are Linked to a Higher Cancer Risk, Experts Warn

The kinds of foods you eat on a long-term basis can affect your health in various ways. Some of them increase your risk of certain cancers.

Now, this does not mean eating a particular food would lead to cancer. But a combination of different factors including genetics, lifestyle and long-term exposure to various carcinogens can lead to it.

Here are five foods and beverages you should pay attention to.

1. Red Meat

Red meat when consumed excessively can increase your chances of developing colon cancer. Red meat belongs to IARC’s Group 2A — which is probably carcinogenic to humans.

Some examples of red meat are beef, lamb and other meats. This is also influenced by how the meats are prepared to be eaten. 

Cooking meat at very high temperatures, such as grilling or charring, can produce compounds that may damage cells and may even be carcinogenic.

You don’t have to completely take out red meat from your diet. Instead, there are ways to cut back on the amount you consume— such as serving smaller portions of red meat and eating more beans, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant-based foods.

2. Processed Meat

A lot of us love to have bacon, sausages and so many other varieties of processed meats. But one thing we must understand is that these products are usually preserved by such processes as curing, smoking or by the addition of preservatives.

The IARC have now classified processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens, which is actually in the same group as asbestos and tobacco smoking.

Try to reduce processed meat, if you consume it regularly. It can be replaced with fresh poultry, fish, eggs, beans and other protein foods.

3. Alcohol

Several cancers have been linked to alcohol. These include breast, colorectal, liver and esophageal cancer.

The risk tends to rise as the amount of alcohol increases. Alcohol can injure cells and tissues and could disrupt processes that lead to the development of cancer.

Also when it comes to cancer prevention, it is better to drink less, or drink no alcohol at all.

The National Cancer Institute links alcohol consumption to an increased risk of several cancers.

4. Ultra-Processed Foods and Drinks

Ultra-processed food is defined as a group of highly processed packaged snacks, sugary drinks, ready-to-eat food and other foods that are thoroughly processed industrially.

Not every ultra-processed food is a cancer-causing food, but these foods tend to be associated with the development of cancer. Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods and drinks can lead to obesity and excessive weight gain which is a key factor for some cancers according to the American Cancer Society.

Replace some ultra-processed foods with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and other less processed foods.

5. Foods and Drinks with Added Sugar

Another category of foods and drinks to be mindful of is those that have a high content of added sugars. This includes soft drinks, sweetened beverages, candy, cakes and other heavily sweetened foods.

However, one thing you must know is that sugar itself doesn’t directly cause cancer. But when you consume too many sugary foods and drinks, you risk gaining excessive weight and increasing your chances of some kinds of cancer. Moderation is therefore the best practical approach.

You mustn’t forget that what you eat affects your weight and can in turn put you at risk of several types of cancer — according to the American Cancer Society.

It’s About Your Overall Diet

Do not worry if you’ve had bacon, grilled meat or drinks. A single meal won’t cause cancer. What matters is the overall pattern over time.

If you’re looking to make some changes, it’s always better to make some small, simple changes over time than to make a drastic change in a day or two.