A dietician who specialises in cancer pointed out the two foods to avoid if we want to reduce our risk of cancer. Nicole Andrews, a registered dietitian who calls herself "the cancer dietitian" on the internet, said:
"I want to remind you that although everyone says everything you eat increases your risk of cancer, it doesn't. There are only two foods you eat that increase your risk of cancer."
Nicole, who specializes in oncology and claims to have helped thousands of cancer survivors change their diets, identifies those two foods as alcohol and processed meats. "That's it, that's the full list," she claims, adding, "Processed meats are pre-cooked meats, like hot dogs, deli meats, sausages, bacon."
She also specifies that this includes "all types of alcohol, including red wine."
On her Instagram account, the nutritionist addresses claims about other foods that are often labeled as "cancer-causing," such as sugar:
"As a cancer nutritionist, let me clarify: sugar alone will not cause cancer or make your cancer grow faster. If you have a diet high in sugar, you're probably going to have excess calories, but that can apply to anything, you can have an excess of any foods and then you're going to have a caloric surplus and then you're going to gain weight, you're going to gain fat, and it's the fat that increases the risk of cancer."
"Sugar does not directly cause cancer - all cells (including healthy ones) use glucose for energy. Reducing sugar will not cause cancer cells to 'starve'. What is actually linked to cancer risk is excess fat tissue, which produces inflammatory hormones that promote tumor growth," she added.
"Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen (same category as tobacco) and is strongly linked to cancers such as breast and liver cancer. Processed meats (such as bacon and sausages) also increase the risk of colon cancer, even in small amounts," Nicole said.
She further clarified that it is excess fat, not sugar itself, that is linked to 13 types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer. The nutritionist said it is not necessary to give up sugar completely; rather, she suggests focusing on reducing fat through a balanced diet, regular exercise and building muscle.
" Excessive calorie intake (from any food) leads to weight gain and fat gain, which increases cancer risk. A cookie or piece of cake won't hurt your health - balance is key!" she stressed.
Cancer Research UK's advice backs up Nicole's and says: "We know categorically that processed meat causes cancer. We are certain of this link, as we are of other proven causes of cancer, such as tobacco and alcohol."
On sugar, the report explains, "There is no evidence that following a 'sugar-free' diet reduces the risk of cancer or that it increases the chances of survival if you are diagnosed."
Processed meats are essentially any form of meat that has been modified to extend shelf life or improve taste by incorporating chemical preservatives such as nitrates, usually by smoking, curing or salting. Varieties of processed meat range from ham and bacon to certain types of sausages such as salami, chorizo and hot dogs. | BGNES
