Cancer is a classification of diseases that causes abnormal growth of cells likely to invade or escalate to other body parts. Different types of cancer include bladder cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, and oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Currently, there’s no exact cause of cancer. Studies are ongoing to find out the causes of cancer.

According to scientists, certain foods act as cancer catalysts. Once taken, they cause cancer cells to reproduce rapidly. The following are foods to be avoided to help reduce the risk of developing cancer:

1. Processed meat

Processed meat include sausage, bacon, salami, hot dogs, prosciutto, beef jerky, and pepperoni. These meats are usually preserved by salting, smoking, curing, or even using chemicals. WHO has convincing evidence that chemicals like Nitrates and Nitrites used in keeping meat fresh and longer are causing stomach and colorectal cancer. Once consumed, N-nitroso compounds/ NOCs, cancer-causing chemicals, get formed through the conversion of nitrites. The chemicals damage cells in the bowel resulting in cancer.

2. Red meat

Red meat includes pork, beef, lamb, veal, horse, mutton, and goat. Too much consumption of it causes colorectal, prostate, or pancreatic cancer. Red pigment, Haem, naturally found in the meat, once in the body damages cells, causing a bacteria that produces a harmful chemical that causes cancer. It also produces Polycyclic Amines, PCAs, and Heterocyclic Amines, HCAs, especially when cooking the meat at very high temperatures.

3. Alcohol

Alcohol causes mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, breast, liver, colon, and rectum cancers. Once it gets into your body, it converts into Acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde leads to irreversible DNA damage and hinders your body from restoring the damage. DNA is known for controlling cell’s growth and functioning. Once damaged, a cell starts growing out of control, resulting in a cancer tumor. Excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks increases circulating levels of estrogen, causing breast cancer. Reduce the consumption of beer, wine, and liquor. Men should reconsider taking less than three drinks in a day and less than two for women.

4. Sugary drinks or non-diet soda

Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, tea, and coffee lead to excess added sugar in the diet. Excess sugar leads to weight gain resulting in obesity. Obesity increases the chances of getting chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, breast, and colorectal cancer. Sugar substitutes found in non-diet soda such as sucrose, aspartame, and saccharin, once taken in excess, disrupts your body’s natural metabolic processes. Instead of your body burning fats, it stores them, causing heart disease and diabetes. Reduce your intake of sugary drinks or non-diet soda or drink more water instead because water helps eliminate toxins that put you at risk of contracting cancer.

5. Fast food or processed foods

Evidence shows that fast food or processed food contains a more significant amount of fat, sugar, and starch, which causes weight gain resulting in obesity. These foods include burgers, chips, fried chicken, and high-calorie drinks. Greater body fatness is one of the primary causes of many types of cancer. Maintain a healthy weight by eating whole grain bread, sandwiches, sushi, or salads.

Cancer patients should avoid the above foods at all costs to help in the management of their condition. Instead, they should adopt good eating habits and eat citrus fruits, vegetables, whole grains, carrots, garlic, and tomatoes. The patient should eat as much as possible to boost the body’s energy level. They should also ensure they cook thoroughly any meat products, and they store all their foods properly to prevent fungal and bacterial growth on them.