5 Myths about food and cancer — what the science says…
- nc2211
- Oct 14, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 15, 2020
Sugar feeds cancer cells and removing sugar all-together helps fight cancer
The relationship between sugar and cancer is a long-standing one. Oversimplification of that relationship is the cause for this myth to gather so much momentum.
Science says
The term “sugar” became a catch-all one, which masks a complex range of molecules of various forms of ‘sugar’ which are available to us. The most basic one, the white stuff which is found in every kitchen and café, is sucrose. Fruits in general have fructose, and both sucrose and fructose are broken down by the digestive system into glucose, which is our body’s main source of energy. All sugars are considered as carbohydrates.
Every cell, healthy or cancerous, is using glucose as energy. Indeed, there are various studies, which indicate the heightened use of glucose by cancerous cells, which means those are growing and expanding faster than healthy cells. That speed variation helps researchers to identify better treatment protocols.
Avoiding sugary foods, especially processed ones which most people tend to overeat, is a good way of avoiding weight gain and other dietary issues. Cutting any form of sugar all together will deprive the body from essential energy and is not advised.
What to do
Eat lots of vegetables in various colours and forms, add fruit in moderation, and mix in some of those sugary ‘treats’ from time to time. That is a good general strategy to ensure adequate energy provision, and a healthy way to consume carbohydrates.
Eating superfoods will cure my cancer
Superfoods are described as particular foods that contain health-enhancing benefits, including protecting against — and in some cases curing — cancer.
Science says
Whilst there is no dispute over the health benefits of some of these so-called ‘superfoods’ such as blueberries, kefir, olive oil and others, there is little evidence to suggest that high consumption of these in isolation would aid cancer prevention, let alone cure it.
What to do
A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein and plenty of variety, will support a healthy body, contribute to a strong immune system, and improve its ability to fight against cancer.
Avoiding meat and turning vegan would lower my risk of cancer
Vegan and other plant-based diets have become popular in recent years. The belief that meat, especially red meat, contributes to cancer proliferation has gathered momentum aided by the popularity of meat-less nutrition.
Science says
High intake of dietary heme iron, found in meat — and in high concentrations in red and processed meat in particular — has been shown to cause the formation of potent carcinogens, cancerous cells. This correlation, supported by a number of studies, might explain the relationship between consuming red meat in large quantities and the propensity towards stomach cancer.
What to do
There is no need to completely avoid red or processed meat. It is rich in protein, potassium, vitamin B, and other micronutrients. It is also high in saturated fat and therefore should not be over-consumed. Recommended quantities vary from country to country, but the general guideline is to limit red and processed meat to 2–3 portions a week with a total of 500g (cooked weight). Extra attention should be given to processed meat due to the higher fat and usually sodium that it contains.
To summarise, avoiding meat or following a vegan diet is a choice anyone can make. If you do consume red or processed meat, limiting the quantities would lower the risk for certain cancer types.
Drinking any form of alcohol cause cancer
Certain types of cancer like breast, liver and pancreatic, are notoriously connected to heavy drinking. Alcoholic drinks have been found to damage various cells found in these organs, and as such there were recommended to avoid alcohol all together.
What the science says
Acetaldehyde is a molecule that’s created by the breakdown of ethanol in the body. Ethanol, the chemical found is alcohol, is broken down by an enzyme called ADH which than convers it to a highly reactive and toxic acetaldehyde. It’s that conversion which might cause a build-up that in some cases lead to the creation of cancerous cells.
To prevent this build-up we use at least 3 ALDH enzymes to quickly break the toxic acetaldehyde to acetate. This protection mechanism works well when not under significant load, but if large quantities of alcohol enter the bloodstream, it can be overwhelmed. In addition, not everyone has these ALDH enzymes in their DNA, which makes them especially sensitive to alcohol consumption
What to do
Moderation. That’s the best strategy to consume alcohol. Beyond the obvious physical effects of alcohol, consuming moderate quantities from time to time will ensure our body is able to break down the toxic chemicals, avoid build-up, and use the energy it gets appropriately.
Burnt toast can cause cancer
Some foods, specifically starchy ones like potato chips and toasted bread, release a chemical called acrylamide. In various industries, it has been shown that exposure to high levels of acrylamide can cause health issues such as nerve damage, muscle fatigue and other. There have been some studies which related the exposure to acrylamide with higher risk of cancer of the breast and brain.
What the science says
Acrylamide is found in many foods which are considered healthy. From dried fruit to coffee. When overcooked, there seem to be a significant change in its composition which leads to a toxic compound being created. In high concentration that compound was found to cause cancer cells in animals. No linkage between acrylamide and cancer was found in humans so far.
What to do
Since the risks of Acrylamide are yet to be determined, it is best to exert some caution and aim to roast or fry your starchy foods to a golden yellow colour level. If by chance, you’re one of those that enjoy burnt potatoes, moderation and portion control is very much advised.
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