Foods that Increase Prostate Cancer Risk
Prostate cancer is a highly common type of cancer affecting men around the world. It is a matter of speculation as to what factors lead to this cancer or how it can be prevented. However, research suggests that there are certain foods that may contribute to cancer, especially cancer of the prostate glands. Some of these foods are listed for you so that you know what to avoid.
Processed meats
Grilled, overcooked, and processed meats are considered to be foods that may contribute to cancer. Meats such as bacon, sausage, and hot dogs contain chemical preservatives that are used to make them appear fresh and appealing. However, these chemicals are cancer-causing compounds. Both sodium nitrite and nitrate are found to be linked to the risk of colon, prostate, and other forms of cancer. So, try to choose uncured meats from grass-fed sources for your daily diet.
Microwave popcorn
Surprising as it may sound, but microwave popcorn is lined with chemicals that are linked to the causes of liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. Perfluorooctanoic acid contained in the linings of popcorn bags is categorized as a carcinogenic, which means that it is a chemical that causes tumors. In fact, the chemical diacetyl used in popcorn has been found to cause both cancer as well as damage to the lungs.
Diet beverages and foods
Beverages and foods that are labeled as “diet” are certainly among the foods that could result in cancer. These foods usually contain an artificial sweetener called aspartame. This chemical not only causes cancer but a range of other diseases including birth defects. So, it is advisable that you don’t fall in the trap of store-bought items that apparently help you stay in shape.
Refined white flour
Although a part of most processed foods, it is the excess carbohydrate content in this type of flour that is a cause of concern. Regular consumption of refined carbohydrates leads to greater risks of being affected by both breast and prostate cancer. High-glycemic foods not only raise the blood sugar levels rapidly but also feed the cancer cells to grow and spread. That is why you should check the labels of processed foods to determine the proportion of refined white flour in it.
Farmed salmon
White fatty fish is usually good for health but farmed salmon is one of the foods that could lead to cancer. This is because farmed salmon lacks vitamin D and is contaminated with carcinogenic chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) along with other antibiotics. So, avoid or restrict your intake of this fish.
By avoiding or eliminating the consumption of these foods that may contribute to cancer, you can take good care of your prostate health and prevent it from posing a threat to your life.