Are you wondering if that burger you had for lunch increases your cancer risk? While the answer isn’t clear-cut, what you eat on a regular basis can increase or decrease your disease odds. “Diet can play a significant role in cancer risk, especially when you’re looking at overall lifestyle,” says Stacy Kennedy, RD, a senior clinical nutritionist and board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
While cancer doesn’t discriminate, eating a variety of fresh foods in moderation is one factor you can control. “It’s about your habits over time, not just one meal or food,” says Kennedy. To strike a healthy balance in your diet, aim for each meal to include half veggies or fruit, a quarter lean protein and a quarter whole grains. And if you are at risk for cancer (or want to reduce your risk), it might be a good
idea to reduce or eliminate these nine foods that have been linked to the disease.
1 Processed Meat
After reviewing more than 800 animal and human studies, in 2015 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that processed meats like hot dogs, ham, bacon, sausage, prosciutto and salami are carcinogenic. “Processed and red meat is clearly linked to cancer,” says Elizabeth Platz, M.P.H., Sc.D., a cancer epidemiologist and researcher with the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University. While the exact reasons aren’t understood, it’s believed to be because sodium used for preservation combines with amines in meat to form carcinogenic compounds and encourages the growth of gut bacteria known to cause cancer.Both the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Institutes for Cancer Research (AICR) recommend limiting your processed meat intake, and Kennedy points out that just one to two ounces a day may increase the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. For a better alternative, Kennedy recommends roasted or baked poultry because you can control ingredients like sodium.Up next: What's the deal with red meat like beef, pork and lamb?...
2 Red Meat
The same 2015 recommendation from the WHO also found that red meat like beef, pork and lamb is “likely” to cause cancer, although the exact reasons aren’t well understood. What types of cancer, exactly? According to studies cited by the WHO: “The strongest, but still limited, evidence for an association with eating red meat is for colorectal cancer. There is also evidence of links with pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.” Still, in moderation, lean red meat can be a good source of protein, B vitamins and iron. The ACS recommends eating less than 18 ounces per week, while the WHO suggests just 11 ounces.Up next: This technique for cooking meat may lead to cancer...
3 Charred Meat
Many chefs take pride in those chargrilled marks on burgers and steaks, but it turns out that they aren’t so good for your health. When all types of meat (including poultry, beef and pork) are cooked at very high temperatures, they release chemicals that have been linked to cancer in animals, explains Elizabeth Platz, a cancer epidemiologist and researcher.According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), charred meat has two concerns. “Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals that have been found to be mutagenic — that is, they cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer” HCAs form when sugar and substances in meat muscle react to the high heat, and PAHs form when fat and juices drip onto the surface and cause smoke. That smoke then rises and sticks to the meat. When you’re grilling, Kennedy recommends, “Flip the meat often, and avoid sugar-based marinades or add them after cooking.”Up next: Your favorite beverage can increase the risk of certain cancers...
4 Alcohol
Heavy drinking increases cancer risk in your throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — especially if you smoke. That may be because alcohol kills cells that have to replace themselves, “and in that process, mutations can occur,” notes Platz. The AICR notes that just one drink a day for women has also been linked to breast cancer. “The research is consistent, even if it’s not clear why,” says Platz.One question Kennedy regularly gets asked: “Is it better to choose red wine over other alcohols?” She says, “While it’s better in terms of heart disease, for cancer risk it’s about the amount of alcohol, not the type,” adding that sugary mixed drinks can, however, add to weight gain. Guidelines from the ACS and other organizations limit women to one and men to two drinks daily.Up next: People who eat this type of food are more likely to be overweight....
5 Processed Foods
A recent study by BMJ linked “ultraprocessed foods” like cakes, chicken nuggets and mass-produced bread to cancer. The likely cause? According to the ACS, people who eat the most processed foods are more likely to be overweight — a factor that accounts for about 8 percent of all cancers in the United States. And obesity commonly causes GERD, which physically damages the esophagus. Then, mutations sometimes happen as cells replicate, Platz notes. Fat also produces estrogen, and high levels of the hormone may cause breast and endometrial cancers. What’s more, obesity increases the odds of being insulin-resistant, and hyperglycemia has been associated with a higher risk of many cancers.Bottom line: “You don’t have to avoid these foods, but minimize them and choose snacks like fresh fruit and nuts, hummus with veggies or low-fat yogurt and berries,” says Kennedy. When you do pick up packaged goods, choose ones with recognizable ingredients.Up next: This food packaging has been linked to multiple types of cancer...
6 Canned Foods
Low-sodium canned foods can be a healthy, convenient way to fit in veggies. However, according to the NIH, the BPA in some packaging not only interferes with human hormone production, but high exposure to BPA has been linked to breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. A study by the Journal of Environmental Research found people who ate the most canned foods had higher BPA levels in their urine. Even though the experts say the link between the two is weak, “a lot of companies have decided they don’t want BPA in their products anyway,” says Platz. If you’re concerned, Kennedy says, “Use fresh or frozen veggies. It’s healthier since it retains more nutrients.” And look for BPA-free cans, or choose foods packaged in glass, boxes and Tetra Paks.Up next: Here's one way NOT to drink your coffee...
7 Scalding-Hot Tea and Coffee
If it burns, cool it: A number of studies, including those by BMJ and a recent report by the Annals of Internal Medicine, have linked scalding-hot drinks like tea or coffee to esophageal cancer, especially when combined with smoking. This theory isn’t new, however, and has been clinically observed as early as the 1930s, when New York physician W.L. Watson wrote, “Thermal irritation is probably the most constant factor predisposing to the cancer of the esophagus.” The reason? High heat kills off cells that can mutate as they’re replaced, promoting cancer. “It’s recognized as a risk factor for cancer, but not at the heat level Americans tend to drink,” says Platz. The link is more of a concern outside the U.S. in countries where people tend to drink their tea over the WHO’s maximum of 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit).Up next: Be aware of the risks associated with these next two foods...
Farmed Salmon
Everyone knows salmon is loaded with good-for-you benefits. It’s heart-healthy and has inflammation-taming omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins like D and B. However, some of the farmed stuff also has polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have been linked to cancer in animal and human studies, according to the EPA.A 2003 report by the Environmental Working Group found farmed salmon had 16 times the PCBs as the wild stuff and four times as much as beef. The numbers may sound scary, but there really isn’t any evidence that PCB levels in farmed salmon are high enough to increase cancer risk, cautions Platz. Still, Kennedy suggests choosing wild fish — or sustainably farmed fish — when possible, because levels of some nutrients like omega-3s may be higher in these products. To reap the benefits of fish, Kennedy recommends two or three servings a week. And don’t forget to check the frozen section of your supermarket if fresh fish isn’t available.Up next: If you're drinking tons of whole milk, you might want to lay off...
Full-Fat Milk
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, dairy products have been linked to prostate cancer. Excessive intake of whole milk, in particular, has been shown to raise risk of mortality from prostate cancer, adds Kennedy. The likely connection is because high levels of calcium can block the body’s ability to produce vitamin D, which is known to protect against all types of cancers, explains Platz. “But it’s hard to achieve high levels of calcium through diet alone. You generally need to take a supplement to reach 1,500 milligrams or higher per day,” says Platz.That said, dairy serves up loads of calcium, protein, iodine and vitamin D, and the Annals of Oncology found that dairy products had a protective effect against colorectal cancer risk in men and women. So instead of swearing off dairy, opt for lower-fat versions instead, and get some calcium from plant-based sources like spinach, Swiss chard, kale, fortified soy milk and tofu.
While cancer doesn’t discriminate, eating a variety of fresh foods in moderation is one factor you can control. “It’s about your habits over time, not just one meal or food,” says Kennedy. To strike a healthy balance in your diet, aim for each meal to include half veggies or fruit, a quarter lean protein and a quarter whole grains. And if you are at risk for cancer (or want to reduce your risk), it might be a good
idea to reduce or eliminate these nine foods that have been linked to the disease.
1 Processed Meat
After reviewing more than 800 animal and human studies, in 2015 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that processed meats like hot dogs, ham, bacon, sausage, prosciutto and salami are carcinogenic. “Processed and red meat is clearly linked to cancer,” says Elizabeth Platz, M.P.H., Sc.D., a cancer epidemiologist and researcher with the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University. While the exact reasons aren’t understood, it’s believed to be because sodium used for preservation combines with amines in meat to form carcinogenic compounds and encourages the growth of gut bacteria known to cause cancer.Both the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Institutes for Cancer Research (AICR) recommend limiting your processed meat intake, and Kennedy points out that just one to two ounces a day may increase the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. For a better alternative, Kennedy recommends roasted or baked poultry because you can control ingredients like sodium.Up next: What's the deal with red meat like beef, pork and lamb?...
2 Red Meat
The same 2015 recommendation from the WHO also found that red meat like beef, pork and lamb is “likely” to cause cancer, although the exact reasons aren’t well understood. What types of cancer, exactly? According to studies cited by the WHO: “The strongest, but still limited, evidence for an association with eating red meat is for colorectal cancer. There is also evidence of links with pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.” Still, in moderation, lean red meat can be a good source of protein, B vitamins and iron. The ACS recommends eating less than 18 ounces per week, while the WHO suggests just 11 ounces.Up next: This technique for cooking meat may lead to cancer...
3 Charred Meat
Many chefs take pride in those chargrilled marks on burgers and steaks, but it turns out that they aren’t so good for your health. When all types of meat (including poultry, beef and pork) are cooked at very high temperatures, they release chemicals that have been linked to cancer in animals, explains Elizabeth Platz, a cancer epidemiologist and researcher.According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), charred meat has two concerns. “Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals that have been found to be mutagenic — that is, they cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer” HCAs form when sugar and substances in meat muscle react to the high heat, and PAHs form when fat and juices drip onto the surface and cause smoke. That smoke then rises and sticks to the meat. When you’re grilling, Kennedy recommends, “Flip the meat often, and avoid sugar-based marinades or add them after cooking.”Up next: Your favorite beverage can increase the risk of certain cancers...
4 Alcohol
Heavy drinking increases cancer risk in your throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — especially if you smoke. That may be because alcohol kills cells that have to replace themselves, “and in that process, mutations can occur,” notes Platz. The AICR notes that just one drink a day for women has also been linked to breast cancer. “The research is consistent, even if it’s not clear why,” says Platz.One question Kennedy regularly gets asked: “Is it better to choose red wine over other alcohols?” She says, “While it’s better in terms of heart disease, for cancer risk it’s about the amount of alcohol, not the type,” adding that sugary mixed drinks can, however, add to weight gain. Guidelines from the ACS and other organizations limit women to one and men to two drinks daily.Up next: People who eat this type of food are more likely to be overweight....
5 Processed Foods
A recent study by BMJ linked “ultraprocessed foods” like cakes, chicken nuggets and mass-produced bread to cancer. The likely cause? According to the ACS, people who eat the most processed foods are more likely to be overweight — a factor that accounts for about 8 percent of all cancers in the United States. And obesity commonly causes GERD, which physically damages the esophagus. Then, mutations sometimes happen as cells replicate, Platz notes. Fat also produces estrogen, and high levels of the hormone may cause breast and endometrial cancers. What’s more, obesity increases the odds of being insulin-resistant, and hyperglycemia has been associated with a higher risk of many cancers.Bottom line: “You don’t have to avoid these foods, but minimize them and choose snacks like fresh fruit and nuts, hummus with veggies or low-fat yogurt and berries,” says Kennedy. When you do pick up packaged goods, choose ones with recognizable ingredients.Up next: This food packaging has been linked to multiple types of cancer...
6 Canned Foods
Low-sodium canned foods can be a healthy, convenient way to fit in veggies. However, according to the NIH, the BPA in some packaging not only interferes with human hormone production, but high exposure to BPA has been linked to breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. A study by the Journal of Environmental Research found people who ate the most canned foods had higher BPA levels in their urine. Even though the experts say the link between the two is weak, “a lot of companies have decided they don’t want BPA in their products anyway,” says Platz. If you’re concerned, Kennedy says, “Use fresh or frozen veggies. It’s healthier since it retains more nutrients.” And look for BPA-free cans, or choose foods packaged in glass, boxes and Tetra Paks.Up next: Here's one way NOT to drink your coffee...
7 Scalding-Hot Tea and Coffee
If it burns, cool it: A number of studies, including those by BMJ and a recent report by the Annals of Internal Medicine, have linked scalding-hot drinks like tea or coffee to esophageal cancer, especially when combined with smoking. This theory isn’t new, however, and has been clinically observed as early as the 1930s, when New York physician W.L. Watson wrote, “Thermal irritation is probably the most constant factor predisposing to the cancer of the esophagus.” The reason? High heat kills off cells that can mutate as they’re replaced, promoting cancer. “It’s recognized as a risk factor for cancer, but not at the heat level Americans tend to drink,” says Platz. The link is more of a concern outside the U.S. in countries where people tend to drink their tea over the WHO’s maximum of 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit).Up next: Be aware of the risks associated with these next two foods...
Farmed Salmon
Everyone knows salmon is loaded with good-for-you benefits. It’s heart-healthy and has inflammation-taming omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins like D and B. However, some of the farmed stuff also has polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have been linked to cancer in animal and human studies, according to the EPA.A 2003 report by the Environmental Working Group found farmed salmon had 16 times the PCBs as the wild stuff and four times as much as beef. The numbers may sound scary, but there really isn’t any evidence that PCB levels in farmed salmon are high enough to increase cancer risk, cautions Platz. Still, Kennedy suggests choosing wild fish — or sustainably farmed fish — when possible, because levels of some nutrients like omega-3s may be higher in these products. To reap the benefits of fish, Kennedy recommends two or three servings a week. And don’t forget to check the frozen section of your supermarket if fresh fish isn’t available.Up next: If you're drinking tons of whole milk, you might want to lay off...
Full-Fat Milk
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, dairy products have been linked to prostate cancer. Excessive intake of whole milk, in particular, has been shown to raise risk of mortality from prostate cancer, adds Kennedy. The likely connection is because high levels of calcium can block the body’s ability to produce vitamin D, which is known to protect against all types of cancers, explains Platz. “But it’s hard to achieve high levels of calcium through diet alone. You generally need to take a supplement to reach 1,500 milligrams or higher per day,” says Platz.That said, dairy serves up loads of calcium, protein, iodine and vitamin D, and the Annals of Oncology found that dairy products had a protective effect against colorectal cancer risk in men and women. So instead of swearing off dairy, opt for lower-fat versions instead, and get some calcium from plant-based sources like spinach, Swiss chard, kale, fortified soy milk and tofu.
No comments:
Post a Comment