Science has proven that regular consumption of this type of food increases the risk of cancer. And the World Health Organization advises avoiding them.
1. Microwave popcorn
Some microwave popcorn contains dangerous substances inside its package, such as perfluorooctanoic acid. This significantly increases the risk of tumors in the kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas and testicles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, this one has several preservatives, such as propylgallate, a derivative of gallic acid, which increases the likelihood of stomach tumor.
2. Canned food
Several studies have detected the presence of Bisphenol-A (BPA) in canned foods. However, there is no unanimous opinion regarding the possibility of BPA from cans contaminating canned foods. BPA is carcinogenic, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A 2015 study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) again detected the substance in dozens of packages sold in the United States.
3. Red meat
The same document states that red meat is “probably carcinogenic”, enhancers of carninomas, although scientific evidence on this fact is still limited. Therefore, the World Health Organization suggests, above all, that this type of food be consumed in moderation, giving priority to white meat, such as chicken and turkey.
4. Burnt food
Roasted foods or barbecues are highly harmful. In 2014, a study by the European Food Safety Authority revealed that toasted foods can give rise to glycidamide in the body, which, in turn, creates neoplastic cells that are the origin of malignant tumours.
5. Smoked food
The addition of smoke to meat is highly harmful to health, guarantees the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Smoking, curing and the addition of chemical preservatives generate carcinogenic compounds that are dangerous for humans.
6. Processed meat
Processed meats – such as bacon, sausages, hamburgers and ham – cause cancer and are as dangerous as tobacco, according to a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer published in October 2015. Processed meat is meat that has been modified to increase its shelf life, color and flavor, through processes of smoking, curing, addition of salt or preservatives.
7. Certain types of salmon
Fish is the main form of human exposure to methylmercury, which is relatively high in swordfish, salmon, sea bass, mackerel, shark and certain fish from contaminated areas. Tuna and sea bream have lower amounts of mercury, according to experts from Johns Hopkins University in a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. It has been scientifically proven that methylmercury can cause genetic mutations that increase the risk of cancer.
8. Soft drinks
These drinks usually have a lower energy density than solid foods due to their high water content. However, sugary drinks, despite providing energy, do not seem to induce satiety or a subsequent reduction in food consumption, thus causing weight gain.
9. Food with too much salt
The consumption of salt and foods preserved in salt are risk factors for some cancers, especially stomach cancer and tumors of the digestive tract. Salty and salt-preserved foods should be avoided, as well as the excessive use of added salt, thus ensuring that salt consumption is less than 5 grams (2.4g of sodium) per day.
10. Food with excess sugar
Although it is known to be one of the main factors responsible for diseases related to lifestyle, such as Diabetes and obesity, sugar is classified as a food that promotes the appearance of cancerous tumors. On the other hand, many foods contain aspartame, a type of chemical sweetener that is also notified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a carcinogen.
