Wondering what to avoid? Here’s a list of possible foods that cause breast cancer.
Did you know that breast cancer is the SECOND most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S.? Not only that, but it also has the second highest rate of fatalities of any cancers. Definitely not something to take lightly!
There are many factors that play a role in the formation in breast cancer, such as genetics, lifestyle, race, family history, age, and more. Food also can contribute to the formation of breast cancer, so it’s important to be careful with what you eat.
Here are some of the foods that can increase your risk of breast cancer:
Sugar
Sugary foods are known to be supremely unhealthy, but even more so for those already at risk of developing breast cancer. A study conducted in 2007 in Italy discovered that there is a correlation between breast cancer and an increased consumption of high GI foods. This doesn’t just mean sweet food, but also foods that are rich in carbs and low in fiber–such as pasta, white rice, refined carbs, and potatoes.
When these foods are consumed, they cause an increase in insulin. Insulin in turn increases production of circulating free estrogen in the body, and both estrogen and insulin attach to insulin receptors in the breasts. This leads to cell division, which increases your risk of individual cancerous cells forming into tumors.
AVOID sugary and high-carb foods!
Saturated Fat
Saturated fat is the type of fat found in red meat, dairy products, eggs, and coconut oil, and it’s a healthy fat when consuming in moderation. However, if you overdo it on the animal fat, you’ll find that your levels of both estrogen and prolactin will rise. When these hormone levels increase, the risk of breast cancer increases as well, as it is a form of cancer that responds to high hormone levels.
Grilled meat is actually twice as bad as regular meat. High-heat grilling increases the production of heterocyclic amines, which are basically mutated compounds that lead to the formation of cancer cells. Any type of meat–chicken breast, steak, salmon, pork, etc.–that is grilled to overdoneness on high heat has a very high risk of these HCA carcinogens forming.
Go easy on the meat, and limit grilling!
READ MORE: Health Benefits of Flaxseeds
Artificial Sweeteners
Most people tell you to avoid sweeteners like Splenda or Sweet N’ Low, and there’s a VERY good reason for that!
Aspartame and sucralose are two of the types of artificial sweeteners used in these “sugar alternatives”, and you’ll find that both of these sugars can increase your risk of cancer. The consumption of these sweeteners can trigger the release of insulin in your body, which, as we learned above, can lead to an increase in estrogen in the body.
To make things worse, because these sweeteners are zero-calorie, they are often consumed in excess. They’re one of the worst foods for those worried about breast cancer, so it’s best to avoid them.
Dairy
High-fat dairy products are part of a healthy diet, but in moderation.
Dairy products are often filled with chemicals and hormones that are injected into or fed to the cows. The chemical rGBH is a chemical often found in milk, and it contains high levels of a growth hormone called IGF-1. A high level of IGF-1 can lead to breast cancer, so it’s important to avoid milk that has been treated with chemicals.
Estrogen Foods
Did you know that there are foods rich in estrogen? These foods may include:
- Chickpeas
- Sesame seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Beans
- Dried fruits
- Peas
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Tempeh
- Soy products
They can increase levels of estrogen in your body, increasing the levels of the hormone that can lead to breast cancer. Best to reduce consumption of these foods if you’re worried!
