The proverbial saying, “You are what you eat” holds great relevance when you are looking to improve your health condition and switching to clean eating habits. If you eat healthily, you will automatically feel energetic and fit. But if the food on your plate is high in trans fat and refined products, then sluggishness and health problems are inevitable.
Unhealthy eating habits and poor food choices can lead to myriad liver, kidney and heart-related diseases. While some can be treated if detected on time, others like cancer can turn out to be life-threatening.
How your food choices can lead to cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but it can be prevented by making relevant lifestyle changes. The cancerous cells grow in the body due to different reasons, and an unhealthy diet is just one of them. Lack of physical activity, smoking, obesity, alcohol and exposure to UV rays are some other factors that may play a role in it. There is growing evidence that our dietary habits can increase or decrease the risk of cancer risk. So, to stay at the pink of your health, here are 5 foods that you must avoid.
Processed meat
Meat, poultry, fish and eggs all are healthy, provided they are cooked properly and consumed in moderation. Taking any animal-based products that have been preserved by smoking and salting is unhealthy and can lead to health concerns ranging from weight gain to cancer. The processing of meat produces a compound that can be carcinogens and can put a person at the risk of developing colorectal and stomach cancer. Instead of processed meat like hot dogs, salami and sausage, cook meat at home.
Fried foods
Excessive intake of fried foods is another item that can lead to the growth of cancerous cells in the body. When foods like potatoes or meat are fried at high temperatures, a compound called acrylamide is formed. Studies suggest that this compound has carcinogenic properties and even damage DNA. Besides, fried foods can also increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body that are linked with the growth of cancerous cells. Instead of frying foods, look for other healthier methods of cooking.
Refined products
Be it refined flour, sugar or oil, all have the potential to put you at the risk of developing cancerous cells. Studies suggest that highly processed sugar and carbs can increase the risk of oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which can give way to different types of cancer. Those whose diets are high in refined products are at a greater risk of ovarian, breast, and endometrial (uterine) cancer. Try to lower the intake of refined products by making healthy swaps. Instead of sugar have jaggery or honey, replace refined carbs with whole grain and switch from refined oil to mustard oil and clarified butter.
Alcohol and carbonated beverage
Both alcohol and carbonated beverages are high in refined sugar and calorie content. Excessive intake of any of the two fluids can increase the numbers of free radicals in the body, which in turn can cause inflammation. Alcohol also interferes with your immune function, making it difficult for your body to detect and target precancerous and cancerous cells.
Canned and packed foods
The trend of having canned and packed foods are slowly and steadily surging in India. You can see the market aisle filled with packed products that can be cooked instantly and severed. Instant poha, noddles, idli, upma, pasta there are wide varieties of packed foods to choose from. This can indeed make the cooking process hassle-free, but it can also increase the risk of developing cancer. Most ready-to-cook food packs are lined with a chemical named Bisphenol A (BPA). This compound when dissolve in food can causes hormonal imbalances, alteration in DNA, and cancer.
