The foods that can increase your risk of cancer have been revealed
Researchers from Which? magazine have explored the facts behind some of the most prominent claims, to show once and for all which food and drinks actually contribute to your chances of developing cancer, reports The Sun.
They analysed and reviewed what some of the world’s biggest health organisations say on carcinogens to sort the myths from the facts.
Here are some foods that are often said to cause or help prevent disease — and the truth behind the claims.
PROCESSED MEAT
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that eating the equivalent of around two rashers of bacon a day can increase your risk of bowel cancer to 18 per cent.
Processed meat was also shown to increase the chances of stomach cancers according to studies, because it contains nitrates, which have been shown to be carcinogenic.
PESTICIDES
There are reports that pesticides can increase risk of cancers but there is not enough evidence to back this yet.
The EU says pesticides must be tested for safety before they can be used on anything that a human will eat or drink.
But the International Agency for Research into Cancer does say that the risk of cancer for those who are exposed to a lot of pesticides such as agricultural workers is “probably” higher.
SUGAR
While there is no scientific evidence that sugar directly increases your risk of cancer.
It does indirectly cause diseases because eating too much of the sweet stuff can lead to obesity which does increase your risk of cancers, according to Which?
ALCOHOL
While it’s not as much of a carcinogen as cigarettes, alcohol does cause has been ranked as a “class 1 carcinogen” WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
