8 foods that can cause cancer
2. Acetaldehyde - Alcohol consumed is metabolized by liver enzymes and converted into a number of products, including acetaldehyde. This compound has been evaluated as having a major role in the development of cancers of the upper digestive tract.
3. Areca Nut (Supari) and 'Paan' (Betel Quid) - Well, here's a shocker, it's not just the paans with tobacco or 'gutka' in them that may contribute to oral cancers, the ones without tobacco, but containing the infamous 'supari' (Areca nut) have also been labelled as carcinogenic by a number of International agencies. Even chewing supari or the betel leaf alone, may expose you to risk of developing oropharyngeal cancers.
4. Liver flukes - The larvae of these worms (Clonorchis sinensis, the Chinese liver fluke, and Opisthorcis viverrini, the Southeast Asian liver fluke) are found in freshwater fish and infect humans when they consume undercooked or raw fish. These parasites mostly occur in the Asian regions, especially China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Asian part of Russia. Eating lightly salted, smoked, pickled, marinated, dried or poorly processed fish may also lead to infection with these organisms. Consumption of meat from carnivorous animals that consume raw fish may also transmit the infection to humans indirectly. Infection with these worms may lead to the development of bile duct cancers in humans.
5. Processed meat - Hot dogs, ham, bacon, sausage are among some meats produced by various processes such as salting, curing, fermentation, smoking. A greater incidence of bowel cancer has been observed in those having a regular consumption of processed meat. While most Indians do not consume a large amount of meat or do so regularly, it's best to cut down on the pepperoni and salami, and replace these with healthier lean meats such as chicken, turkey and fish.
6. Red Meat - Though an excellent source of Iron, B vitamins and protein, the haemoglobin in red meats in metabolized to 'possibly carcinogenic' N-nitroso compounds in our gut. What you can do? Keep the intake occasional and switch to whites for your daily protein needs.Red-MeatCarcinogens from cooking methods, utensils and other materials
7. Mineral Oils - These are colourless, odourless mixtures obtained from a mineral source, commonly distilled petroleum fractions. While they are not generally present in foodstuff (unless by contamination), mineral oils find indirect use in the food industry. They may be used to preserve wooden cutting boards, salad bowls and utensils. Confectioners may also use it to give a glossy finish to the products and prevent candies from sticking to each other. Industrial baking equipment may also use mineral oil as a lubricant. Paraffin oil based feeds (cheaper alternative to use vegetable or animal fats in feeds) may lead to mineral oil contamination in food products (e.g. eggs). Due to its poor absorption in the human body, mineral oil has also been (undesirably) used as a slimming agent. It's best to avoid this product.
8. Emissions from high temperature frying - Very small (sub-micron) sized particulate matter emissions occur during cooking and frying with oil beyond its boiling point. These may contain, among other substances, carcinogenic chemicals such as PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and heterocyclic amines. Heating oil increases its fatty acid content, thereby lowering the smoke point and increasing the amount of emissions on use. It is thus extremely important to avoid reusing oil, especially for frying. Look up the smoke point of an oil before using it for frying - Avocado Oil, Ghee, Safflower, Mustard, and Rice Bran oils have high smoke points. Refining increases the smoke point of oils, so unrefined or cold pressed oils should not be used for frying, but consumed raw or lightly heated, instead. more