We nourish our bodies and maintain vitality through food every day. However, within this seemingly ordinary act of “eating,” there are hidden health risks that cannot be ignored. Once unhealthy eating habits are formed, the body can become a breeding ground for diseases. From minor oral ulcers to major cancers, various health risks may quietly emerge, posing a serious threat to life. So, what unhealthy eating habits might increase the risk of cancer? Let’s listen to the explanation from the experts at the Hainan Xiaopeng Health Internet Hospital under the guidance of Ingenious Doctor Digital Technology.
What unhealthy eating habits may lead to cancer?
01. Selected Colorectal Cancer
The habit of being picky eater, such as “only liking meat and not vegetables,” not only leads to nutritional imbalance but also increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. If the intake of meat exceeds the body’s needs, the excess nutrients become a breeding ground for bacteria. With the action of bacteria, the protein and fat-rich substances in meat quickly deteriorate, generating harmful substances to health. The long-term exposure of the intestinal mucosa to harmful substances can lead to a cycle of “inflammation – necrosis – regeneration,” where mucosal cells may become malignant if they deviate during the repair process. Especially for those who love red meat and processed meat products, extra caution is required.
● Red Meat: Refers to meat that is red before cooking, such as pork, beef, and lamb.
● Processed Meat Products: Refers to all types of meat that have been processed through smoking, curing, air drying, or other methods to enhance flavor and prolong preservation, such as bacon, ham, cured meat, smoked meat, cured beef, meat jerky, canned meat, and meat sauces, among others.
Cancer Prevention Suggestions
Increase the intake of coarse grains, including purple rice, brown rice, red beans, oats, etc.
Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in dietary fiber and can accelerate intestinal peristalsis for waste elimination.
Reduce the consumption of processed meat products. These foods may produce harmful substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines during processing, which can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. It is recommended not to consume such foods more than twice a week.
02. Dilated Esophageal Cancer
Eating until overstuffed, especially overeating at night, can lead to gastroesophageal reflux, which, when prolonged by stomach acid, increases the chances of developing esophageal cancer.
Cancer Prevention Suggestions
Avoid overeating. Being 70-80% full is more appropriate.
Avoid eating or drinking very hot. Consuming hot beverages above 65°C can increase the risk of esophageal cancer. It is best for foods and beverages to be below 45°C when consumed.
Avoid hard foods while eating. Many people tend to eat rough or hard foods, which can damage the esophageal mucosa as they pass through the esophagus, increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
03. Frugal Liver Cancer
Being frugal in life is not wrong per se, but excessive frugality, such as not discarding moldy food or continuing to use contaminated items after washing, can increase the risk of liver cancer. This is because these items may contain a first-class carcinogen—aflatoxin. Aflatoxin, a metabolite of Aspergillus fungi, thrives in temperatures between 28°C to 38°C in moist environments and is often imperceptible to the naked eye. This toxin can cause liver cancer and other types of cancer.
Aflatoxin is extremely toxic, being 10 times more toxic than potassium cyanide and 68 times more toxic than arsenic. It requires temperatures above 280°C to be destroyed. As early as 1993, aflatoxin was classified as a first-class carcinogen by the cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). Consuming 1mg of it can be carcinogenic, and a single ingestion of 20mg could lead to death in adults.
Cancer Prevention Suggestions
Replace moldy chopsticks and cutting boards promptly.
Do not keep using moldy foods, such as moldy peanuts, corn, beans, etc.
Dispose of expired or spoiled cooking oils and seasonings in a timely manner.
Long-soaked black fungus can produce a large amount of bacteria, aflatoxin, and other harmful substances. Ingesting too much at once can cause liver poisoning. So, discard them promptly.
By following these three points, stay away from cancer:
01. Engage in Exercise
Physical exercise not only helps with weight loss or maintaining body shape but also plays a role in cancer prevention. Studies have shown that individuals who engage in moderate to high-intensity physical exercise for at least 30-60 minutes a day have a reduced risk of cancer, especially for breast cancer and colorectal cancer. The incidence of several other types of cancer also decreases, including prostate cancer, lung cancer, and endometrial cancer.
02. Maintain a Good Mood
Among the adverse emotional reactions closely related to cancer are depression, intense frustration, hopelessness, and helplessness. Some believe that “depression catalyzes tumors.” For instance, women with severe depression are more prone to breast cancer, and their prognosis after developing cancer is worse.
03. Undergo Early Cancer Screening
Since most malignant tumors show no symptoms in their early stages or the symptoms are difficult to detect, early cancer screening is an effective way for intervention and management for high-risk individuals and those with abnormal signs. It not only improves the early detection rate of malignant tumors but also reduces the mortality rate caused by cancer. Individuals at high risk should undergo regular cancer screenings based on their own circumstances.
Good dietary habits are a key element in maintaining health. However, the causes of cancer are far more complex, involving multiple factors. Therefore, experts at the Hainan Xiaopeng Health Internet Hospital under the Ingenious Doctor Digital Technology remind everyone to adopt the concept of early prevention, early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment of cancer. Cancer prevention requires long-term adherence, starting from the details of daily life to create a healthy living environment and prevent cancer from taking hold.
References:
[1] “Despite Valuing Health, She Still Got Diagnosed with Cancer! Doctor: This Eating Habit Harmed Her.” Healthy Times. April 9, 2024.
[2] “With These 4 Eating Habits, Your Body Can Still Be Targeted by Cancer!” CCTV Lifestyle Circle. January 8, 2024.
[3] “Doctors Warn: If You Often Show This Behavior While Eating, It Could Be Cancer! Don’t Ignore It!” Science China. July 19, 2023.
