Cancer is one of the biggest killers out there. Cancer starts at the cellular level, abnormal growth of cells forms most cancerous tumors. Some of the common symptoms of cancer include pain, weakness, sudden weight loss, etc. Common forms of cancer are breast cancer, colon cancer, blood cancer, and lung cancer. In some cases, patients only realize that they have cancer in the later stages once the disease has progressed or metastasized to other bodily organs.

While diet doesn’t cause cancer per say, certain cancer-contributing foods consumed excessively may raise the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Foods and drinks that have been linked to cancer are:

1. Sugar

Too much sugar is bad for your health. People who frequently consume sugar and refined sugar products have a much higher chance of contracting several metabolic diseases (i.e., diabetes, heart disease, and cancer). Sugar gives mutated cancer cells the energy they require to stay alive. Cancer specialists recommend cutting your sugar intake by at least half if you want to reduce your chances of contracting the disease. In some cases, doctors are using diabetes treatments to help fight cancer. Alternatively, you can choose to consume other natural sugars, such as maple syrup and honey.

2. Soft drinks

If you are a regular consumer of soft drinks, you could be contributing to your overall risk of cancer. Most soft drinks and pops are full of sugar and dangerous chemicals that eventually end up in your blood. Consuming soda, for instance, provides no nutritional value and only causes damage to your bodily cells. Instead, you can opt for a healthier option such as 100% fruit juice, naturally flavored waters, etc. Regularly consuming soft drinks can lead to stomach and colon cancer, which are among the most aggressive forms of the disease. 

3. Microwave popcorn

Most people usually consume microwave popcorn as a quick snack. What they don’t know is that the diacetyl chemical in the popcorn, which is added for flavor, may be toxic to humans. Some researchers argue that there is a relationship between diacetyl and the growing cases of lung cancer. Instead, opt for healthier snack options such as fruits and veggies, unsalted nuts, or popcorn prepared stovetop with a drizzle of olive oil. 

4. Processed deli meats

Hotdogs, sliced lunch meats, hot dogs, bacon, and other cured deli meats have long been linked to cancer development. In fact, several medical studies show that consuming an excess amount of red and processed meats is linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer and breast cancer. While not all deli meats are bad (for instance, all natural turkey and chicken), many brands are high in sodium, and loaded with potentially-carcinogenic nitrates like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which increase shelf life as well of the overall cancer risk.