It provokes cancer: list of unhealthy foods

Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what disease you can trigger. According to doctors, 50 percent of the most dangerous diseases, including cancer, can be prevented by diet alone. However, we rarely think about it when we're chewing another packet of crunchy, generously flavoured crisps. Cancer is the most common cause of death in the world after coronary heart disease. So, what's banned? We've compiled the top 5 most popular and most harmful foods that you'd better say goodbye to or minimise the consumption.

Cancer isn't fancy: oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a major factor that contributes to the development of cancer. Every day, our bodies produce free radicals as a by-product of various cellular processes. Radicals can damage DNA and cause tissue degeneration.

It is oxidative stress that stimulates the formation and growth of cancer cells. There are foods that neutralise the effects of free radicals on our DNA. They contain powerful antioxidants, such as the fresh fruits and vegetables we previously wrote about. So what foods should be avoided?

Margarine and refined vegetable oils

Margarine should be the first to end up in the bin! This processed product masquerading as oil is pure chemistry, meaning that it cannot be made without heat and chemicals. All margarines contain huge amounts of trans fats, which are bad for your heart and blood vessels. All store-bought cakes, pastries and other baked goods are margarine-based. Cheap palm oil also contains a huge amount of trans fats that clog blood vessels.

For reference: 100 g of margarine contains 15 g of trans fats. Consumption of 0.5 to 2% of trans fats from the total amount of food is considered conditionally safe.

Refined vegetable oils have long been considered an alternative to margarine. However, high temperatures and chemicals are used in their production. This kills all vitamins and leads to the formation of the same trans fats and free radicals that can cause not only cardiovascular disease but also obesity, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

A real alternative is unrefined vegetable oils from the first cold pressing. But remember: you can't use them for frying.

Time bomb: chewing gum

Chewing gum contains nothing but sweeteners, sugar, stabilisers, thickeners, emulsifiers and food colours. It is essentially a mixture of extremely harmful synthetic additives that for some reason are called food additives. Chewing gum is popular with children, bu it is actually a time bomb in the children's body. After all, the problems from the use of this "product" are the most serious: stomach upset, kidney and liver disease, kidney stone disease, allergies, skin diseases, increased cholesterol in the blood and even the development of dementia.

Mayonnaise and ketchup

Mayonnaise is not only a source of trans fats but also an incredibly caloric product. Just a few spoonfuls of mayonnaise will nullify the benefits of a vegetable salad. Commercially produced sauces and ketchups are a mixture of sugar, salt, preservatives, flavour enhancers and stabilisers.

For example, in a packet of ketchup, one-fifth of the volume is sugar. In addition, store-bought sauces and condiments are often made from cheap oils that contain the same trans fats.

To make a tender consistency, starch is often added to the composition of these products. Doctors call canned tomato sauce a disguised killer. It can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and tooth decay.

Chips and fries

This product is 165 years old. While earlier people natural potatoes, today they have become a mixture of wheat and corn starch, generously seasoned with salt, flavour enhancers and food flavourings. There is nothing alive and healthy in them, trans fats and calories only. Moreover, scientists have proved that the crunch of crisps, which occurs at the moment of chewing, causes addiction to food.

Chips contain a dangerous substance called acrylomide, which increases the risk of colon, breast, prostate and rectal cancer.

Shop fries are fried in a mixture of palm oil and additives. This mixture is not changed for weeks. Just one serving contains up to 30 ml of such oil, which is rich in unsaturated fats that cause blood vessel blockages.

Sweet fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks contain a huge amount of sugar, which is more than 10g per 100ml. Thus, half a glass of the drink contains 2 teaspoons of sugar only. No less dangerous are the so-called light versions of drinks. Instead of sugar, manufacturers use sugar substitutes, which provoke diabetes and cardiovascular pathologies.

We know that it is possible to live without these products. But if you find it difficult to give up your favourite mayonnaise or crisps, reduce the amount of them in your plate slowly and eat as much leafy greens, fresh vegetables, berries and fruits as possible. These are the foods that are high in antioxidants and fibre, which can neutralise junk food.