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Evidence suggests there is a link between cancer and certain types of altered eating behaviors, such as orthorexia, food cravings, and food addiction [12,13,14]. Orthorexia is an obsession with healthy and proper eating [ 15 ], food cravings are an intense desire for a certain food [ 16 ], but food addiction is a rather more complex concept.
Jun 11, 2022 · One area that remains poorly understood, is whether food cravings could be linked to the disease. In early 2011 the Daily Mail reported on the case of a 59-year-old who developed an unusual ...
- 2 min
- Overview
- Foods that may increase your cancer risk
- Processed meats
- Fried foods
- Overcooked foods
- Dairy
- Sugar and refined carbohydrates
- Alcohol
- Can some foods lower your risk of cancer?
- The bottom line
Cancer is a complex disease. There are many different types of cancers, as well as many potential causes. Although we still don’t know all the answers, what is known is that a variety of factors can contribute to the development of cancer.
Genetic makeup and family history play a role. But external factors that you may have some have control over — like your lifestyle habits — have an even bigger impact. In fact, research shows that 80 to 90 percent of malignant tumors are related to external factors.
One of the most important lifestyle factors to consider is your diet. That’s because a large body of research has shown that some foods are associated with a higher risk of certain types of cancer.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at specific foods and beverages that may increase your risk of cancer, and what the scientific evidence has to say about the link between these foods and the risk of cancer.
Some foods can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity, which are associated with certain types of cancer. Other foods contain carcinogens, which are harmful substances that have the capacity to cause cancer.
It’s worth noting that exposure to carcinogens doesn’t always cause cancer, though. It depends on your genetics, as well as the level and duration of exposure to the carcinogen.
Processed meat is any type of meat that’s been preserved by smoking, salting, curing, or canning. Most processed meats are red meats. Some examples of red meat that’s been processed include:
•hot dogs
•salami
•sausage
•ham
•corned beef
When starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures, a compound called acrylamide is formed. This can happen during frying, baking, roasting, and toasting.
Fried starchy foods are especially high in acrylamide. This includes fried potato products, like french fries and potato chips.
According to a 2018 review, acrylamide was found to be carcinogenic in studies done on rats. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers it “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
According to a 2020 study, acrylamide damages DNA and induces apoptosis, or cell death.
Overcooking foods, especially meats, can produce carcinogens. According to one 2020 article, cooking meat with high heat creates carcinogenic PAHs and heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These substances may increase the risk of cancer by altering the DNA of your cells.
You’re more likely to overcook foods when you cook with high temperatures or over an open flame. This includes cooking methods like:
•grilling
•barbecuing
•pan-frying
The Food and Drug Administration also states that overcooking starchy foods, like potatoes, increases acrylamide formation.
There’s some evidence that dairy may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Dairy foods include products like:
•milk
•cheese
•yogurt
According to a 2020 review, eating dairy increases levels of an insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This is associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. IGF-1 may increase the proliferation, or production, of prostate cancer cells.
However, the evidence for this is not consistent. In addition, the type of dairy may play a role, according to a 2016 study.
Sugary foods and refined carbs can indirectly increase your risk for cancer. Some examples of these foods include:
•sugar-sweetened beverages
•baked goods
•white pasta
•white bread
•white rice
When you consume alcohol, your liver breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a carcinogenic compound.
According to a 2017 review, acetaldehyde promotes DNA damage and oxidative stress. It also interferes with your immune function, making it difficult for your body to target precancerous and cancerous cells.
According to scientific research, some foods contain beneficial compounds that may help reduce the risk of cancer. This includes foods like:
•Fruits and vegetables. According to a 2017 review, fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. These compounds can help protect your cells from oxidative stress and DNA damage.
•Nuts. A 2023 review found that nuts may help reduce inflammation and cancer risk.
•Beans. Beans are rich in fiber. According to a 2023 study, fiber may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
•Whole grains. Whole grains are associated with a lower risk of cancer, according to a 2020 review. Whole grains, like quinoa and brown rice, are rich in fiber and antioxidants.
•Fish. Fish offers healthy fats called omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats from fish may lower the risk of some cancers by reducing inflammation, according to a 2019 study on breast cancer and a 2022 study on colorectal cancer. However, according to a 2020 meta-analysis there is only weak evidence linking omega-3’s to cancer prevention.
Processed meat, overcooked foods, and fried foods may increase your risk of some types of cancer. That’s because these foods may contain carcinogens, or compounds that cause cancer.
Alcohol produces carcinogens when it’s metabolized by your body. Dairy, sugar, and refined carbs may also raise the risk of some types of cancer.
- Red meats. Red meat such as beef, pork, venison and lamb has been linked to colorectal cancer, Tatum says. But this doesn’t mean saying a permanent goodbye to favorites like hamburgers.
- Processed meats. Another category of meat that comes with a heightened cancer risk is processed meat. Processed meat refers to any meat that has been preserved, or undergone changes to its shape and flavor.
- Alcohol. There are many stories debating the health risks and benefits of drinking alcohol. But as far as cancer experts are concerned, alcohol has been linked to an increased risk for several diseases including stomach, colorectal, esophageal, liver, pancreatic and breast cancers.
- Ultra-processed food and drinks. Ultra-processed food and drinks are indirectly linked to cancer risk due to increased levels of sugar and sodium, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
All sugars in foods and beverages add to calorie intake, which can lead to obesity, so eating a lot of sugar can indirectly increase cancer risk. There is also evidence that a dietary pattern high in added sugars affects levels of insulin and related hormones in ways that may increase the risk of certain cancers.
If you’re craving something salty or crunchy, try celery with peanut butter or hummus instead of chips. If you’re craving something sweet, try a piece of fruit or a small piece of dark chocolate. If you’re craving ice cream, try frozen yogurt. If you’re craving a sugary coffee drink, try coffee with almond milk.
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Jun 3, 2024 · The relationship between what we eat and drink and our cancer risk is complex. It’s been the subject of research for decades. “Nutrition research had its absolute hay day in the 90s, on the heels of everyone being obsessed with low-fat diets and doing aerobics starting in the 1980's,” says epidemiologist Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph.D., who studies food and cancer.
