Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, one in six deaths globally is due to cancer.

But despite its high mortality rate, cancer can be prevented. Several factors greatly influence the risk of cancer, but none more so than food and nutrition.  Numerous studies have linked many commercially available foods — which also happen to be nutritionally dry — to cancer due to the harmful, cancer-causing chemicals they contain.

The following are bad foods you need to avoid at all costs as they increase the risk of cancer.

Microwave popcorn

Like most salty snacks, microwave popcorn is highly addictive. But it is also one of the deadliest foods you can eat. Microwave popcorn bags are lined with harmful chemicals, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), that are linked to the development of liver and pancreatic tumors. Popcorn kernels are also soaked in artificial flavoring that contains diacetyl, acetyl propionyl and acetoin. These chemicals have been found to cause lung cancer.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

GMOs are fruits and vegetables that have been injected with artificial flavoring, additives and chemicals in order to taste and look a certain way. A vast number of animal studies have shown that GMO consumption can lead to mammary tumors, liver failure and premature death. Many GMOs are also sprayed with pesticides and artificial fertilizers, which contain carcinogenic chemicals.

Canned foods

Besides the fact that canned foods contain little to no nutrients, the lining of aluminum cans has traces of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that disrupts the production of natural hormones. BPA is also linked to breast cancer and reproductive disorders.

Processed meat

Meats that have been salted, cured or smoked are linked to cancer due to the presence of sodium nitrite, a carcinogenic type of salt used to extend the shelf-life of meat. Avoid foods like bacon, sausages, hot dogs and pepperoni to prevent colon and gastric cancers.

Farm-raised salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein. However, most commercially available salmons are farm-raised. Farm-raised fish are typically fed unnatural diets that are chock-full of chemicals and antibiotics to manipulate their size and flavor. Asbestos, for instance, is a carcinogen linked to lung cancer and ovarian cancer that has been found to contaminate farmed fish.

Hydrogenated oils

Hydrogenated oil is a type of oil that extends the shelf-life of processed foods. However, hydrogenated oils are rich in trans fats that increase the risk of heart disease and colon cancer. Foods that contain or are often cooked with hydrogenated oils include margarine, frozen pizza and french fries.

Refined grains

A diet of primarily refined grains like white flour can severely increase the risk of colon cancer. Refined grains contain empty calories that the body processes into sugar, which cancerous tumors feed on. To prevent cancer, stick to whole grains like oats, quinoa and buckwheat instead.

Refined sugar and sweeteners

Refined sugar is typically used to enhance the sweetness of confectionery and sodas, but it can cause blood sugar spikes and impair insulin sensitivity. In particular, a refined sugar known as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is closely associated with an increased risk of gastric and colon cancers. Meanwhile, sweeteners like saccharin and sucralose are linked to the development of bladder cancer.

Alcohol

Alcohol corrodes the delicate linings of organs, which is why cancers of the mouth, throat, liver and colon are, more often than not, caused by excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, when you drink alcohol, the body converts it into a highly reactive toxin known as acetaldehyde, which severely damages DNA.

Red meat

Frequent consumption of steaks and hamburgers has grave consequences. For one, red meats like beef, veal, pork, lamb and mutton can drastically heighten the risk of cancer due to a chemical known as heme. When heme is broken down in the gut, it forms N-nitroso compounds that can damage the intestinal walls. This event can lead to colon cancer.

Many commercially available, highly processed foods are considered carcinogenic due to the high amounts of harmful chemicals they contain. To minimize your risk of cancer, avoid these cancer-causing foods and opt for nutritious diet rich in organic and unprocessed foods.

Sources:

WHO.int

LittleThings.com