Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide, claiming millions of lives every year. It is estimated that more than 8 million died of cancer in 2012 alone – and it’s not going to get better. The number of people diagnosed with this fatal disease is expected to rise by 70 percent in the next 20 years.
You’d be surprised to know that 30 percent of all cancers are preventable. It only takes a few lifestyle modifications to decrease your cancer risks, with food being a major contributor. Research has shown that 1 out of 10 cancers are related to diet. Just as there are foods that prevent cancer, so are there foods that maximize your cancer risks. Here’s a list of the top 12 cancer-causing foods – and ones you should be avoiding:
1. Non-organic produce
Eating fruits and vegetables is highly encouraged by nutritionists because of their cancer-fighting ingredients which include vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and antioxidants. What they forget to mention is how you should be careful with what you pick. Most of the produce sold in the market is non-organic, meaning they were grown witch chemical fertilizers and treated with toxic pesticides. For these reasons, non-organic produce is not only unsafe for human consumption but could also maximize your cancer risk.
Nitrogen, atrazine, thiodicarb, and organophosphates are some of the harmful components of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Studies show that they contaminate fruits and vegetables by either sticking on their surface or leeching into them. According to a survey conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), about 98 percent of sold produce is contaminated with cancer-causing fertilizers and pesticides, with apples as the biggest offender. Other fruits that had increased levels of pesticides include grapes, strawberries, and oranges.
Minimize your cancer risk: Experts say that rinsing contaminated produce before eating or cooking doesn’t completely wash off the toxins. You should consider switching to organically grown fruits and vegetables.
