If You Love the Following Foods, You are at Risk of Getting Cancer

By Virginia Nyambura

Cancer has become the plague of the current age, a nightmare to every one of us; if you are not infected then you are most definitely affected. Doing away with some of the following foods could be a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

There are so many types of cancers it’s hard to keep up with the list yet they continue to claim lives. Cancer treatment is exorbitantly expensive and drains lifetime investments in most families.

There are foods that are said to increase the risk of cancer-causing cells and are normally referred to as carcinogenic. Noise surrounding causes of cancer do not seem to help the busy schedules among Kenyans, make it difficult to research and concentrate on the non-carcinogenic foods. The following is a list of food products and reasons as to why Kenyan homes need to minimize or do away with them in their homes.

Refined white flour

We all love cake, some nice chapatti, mandazis and the list is endless. Sadly, refined white flour is mostly used in preparing these delicacies which are obviously not healthy. White flour has very low fiber content which can easily lead to constipation and has also been named as a major cause of obesity. Obesity further contributes to other lifestyle diseases that are mostly heart-related.

Potato Crisps

As tasty and crunchy as they can get, potato chips contain artificial flavors, colors and a variety of preservatives. They are high in fat and calories which lead to excess weight and high cholesterol. The crisps are very salty and the high sodium levels can lead to high blood pressure. They are also prepared at very high temperatures creating Acrylamide, a cancer-causing chemical which according to the American Cancer Society and European Food Safety Authority, acrylamide is a carcinogen. 

Canned Tomatoes

Fresh organic tomatoes are known to help the body resist infections and fight cancer, the same cannot be said of canned tomatoes as they are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) food. Canned tomatoes are bad because they are acidic which promotes leaching of chemical out of the lining into canned tomatoes. Tomatoes are heavily sprayed with pesticides and due to their thin skin, they absorb the chemicals hence it is advisable to consume tomatoes fresh and organically grown.

Processed Meat

Bacon, sausages, hot dogs, deli meats, ham are just but some of the processed meat that is normally modified to change their taste or to extend their life. Some of the main processes used to preserve include smoking, curing, adding salt and preservatives. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced that consumption of processed meat is “carcinogenic to humans.”

Hydrogenated Oils

The process of hydrogenation takes place with a canister of hydrogen gas getting positioned below a vat of oil, under controlled conditions, the hydrogen gas is allowed to bubble up into the oil. The oil is soaking up more hydrogen, and unsaturated fat is transformed into saturated ones. This transformation produces a semi-solid fat, which is most margarine and vegetable oils, and hence, the shelf life is extended. Business benefit is great but the health cost is more significant!

Alcohol

Regular alcohol intake increases the risk of developing several types of cancer ranging from breast, colon and rectum, esophagus, larynx, liver, mouth, and pharynx, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. The risks are much higher when alcohol use is added to cigarette smoking. Alcohol (ethanol) is converted into a toxic cancer-causing chemical called acetaldehyde, once it is in the body. It damages DNA which hinders the body cells from repairing the damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified acetaldehyde formed as a result of drinking alcohol as the cause of cancer, together with alcohol.

The occasional drink, however, may be beneficial and lead to a reduced risk of heart disease. Excessive drinking has a detrimental effect on your health though and the less alcohol you drink, the lower the risk of cancer.