Processed Meat
A study conducted in 2015 by the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, salami, etc., cause cancer. It also suggests that red meat items like beef, pork, and lamb can also increase cancer risk. Smoked and processed meat uses a high amount of nitrates, which are closely linked to cancer. They are also high in fat, which is terrible for the heart and digestive system. The heterocyclic amine present in processed meat is also highly cancerous. As per the Cancer Council, to prevent cancer, you should not consume more than one serving of lean meat in a day and just two servings of red meat three to four times in one week.
Canned Food
A study conducted on over 250 canned food items reported that around 40% of the cans are lined with BPA, an industrial compound used to prevent the food items from corrosion and breakage. BPA is a leading cause of congenital disabilities, diabetes, heart ailments, and obesity. To put things in the context of cancer, BPA severely interferes with the production of sexual hormones in the body. Such an interference significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer and prostate cancer from the disruptions in the body’s hormonal system. Therefore, avoid excessive consumption of canned food to prevent the development of cancer in your body.
Farmed Salmon
Scientists suggest that those who frequently consume farmed salmon raises their risk of developing cancer. Salmon raised on fish farms are highly contaminated with the use of carcinogenic chemicals. A major study has concluded that it would be unwise for consumers to eat them more than once every other month. In case you have been eating farmed salmon and believe that your eating habit is healthy, you should know that a thorough study has confirmed that farmed salmon increases cancer risk. Besides, farmed salmon are also criticized for other problematic practices, such as the feed content, which is usually supplemented with chemicals to give the salmon fish a pink color. Wild salmons develop it naturally and, therefore, should be preferred over farmed salmon.
Pickled Food
Excessive intake of pickled food increases the risk of developing gastric cancer because of its nitrate and nitrite content, resulting in the generation of gastric carcinogens and N-nitroso compounds (78). Some experts perceive pickling as a healthy process, but health experts reflect that it is just another form of intoxicating the food. Store-bought pickled food contains nitrates, salt, and artificial coloring and is rapidly linked to digestive tract cancer that targets the stomach and colon. If you enjoy consuming pickles a lot, it is recommended to prepare them at home to ensure complete safety.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, excessive consumption of anything can negatively impact the body, if not immediately, then in the longer run. The food items mentioned above can severely affect your overall health and increase the risk of developing cancer, and therefore, its consumption should be controlled as much as possible.
