6 Facts About Our Diet And Cancer

Please note that the following does not replace medical or nutritional advice from a healthcare professional.

The World Health Organization has stated that processed meats (including ham, bacon, salami, and sausages) are carcinogenic. It’s also good to keep in mind that a balanced vegan diet is an excellent strategy for preventing colon cancer and other types of cancer.

Processed meat: as carcinogenic as cigarettes and asbestos

In October 2015, the World Health Organization first classified processed meats (including ham, bacon, salami, and frankfurters) as a Group 1 carcinogen (in the same group as cigarettes and asbestos), and red meat as a Group 2A carcinogen (in the same group as pesticides and diesel exhaust). This classification is based on over 800 studies, and experts have estimated that even just 50g of processed meat consumed per day raises the risk of colon cancer by 18%.

Carcinogens in chicken

Chicken contains several substances that could be carcinogenic. Animal-based protein, when charred at a high temperature – barbecued , grilled or pan-fried – becomes a quite dangerous carcinogen (one of the same carcinogens found in cigarettes). In this respect, skinless chicken breast is actually more dangerous than chicken breast with skin (however, the saturated fat in the skin also causes damage to our health). Furthermore, chicken meat tends to be polluted with several carcinogens, such as cadmium and dioxins. More research is necessary to determine the exact correlation between chicken consumption and cancer, but there’s one thing we know for sure: it’s not going to protect us from the disease.

Dairy could cause prostate cancer

Dairy is linked to a rise in the risk of prostate cancer and death from prostate cancer. In a research conducted on tens of thousands of doctors in The Harvard School of Public Health, a direct link was found between dairy consumption and fatal prostate cancer (particularly full-fat milk), and less fatal types of the disease (particularly skimmed milk). Researchers estimate that the reasons for this are excessive amounts of calcium, insulin like growth factors (IGF-1), phytic acid and phosphates – all linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Fiber against cancer

So what foods can help protect us from cancer? One thing that is crucial is eating enough fiber. In a study conducted on over half a million people all over Europe, it was found that high fiber intake (which is typical of a healthy vegan diet) lowered the risk of death from cancer.

Antioxidants: plant-based superheros

Another anti-carcinogen in plant-based foods is antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in much higher quantities in plant-based food, compared to animal products. Antioxidants can decelerate and prevent cancer processes in our body. In plant-based food, the average amount of antioxidants is 100 times higher than in animal products, according to research into thousands of plant-based and animal-based foods.

Soy could fight breast cancer

“There is growing evidence that eating traditional soy foods such as tofu may lower the risk of cancers of the breast, prostate, or endometrium (lining of the uterus), and there is some evidence it may lower the risk of certain other cancers. This might be because the isoflavones can actually block the more potent natural estrogens in the blood.” (American Cancer Society)