Cancer and obesity are two major health concerns that affect millions of people worldwide. While many foods are marketed as “healthy,” some can actually contribute to these conditions when consumed regularly or in large quantities. Certain seemingly healthy foods can have negative effects on the body, increasing inflammation, disrupting metabolic processes, and promoting weight gain.
In the case of cancer, some of these foods contain compounds or additives that have been linked to increased risk of developing certain cancers.
1. Fruit Juice/Sports Drinks
Just because a beverage has the word “fruit” in it doesn’t make it healthy.
Dr. Sue Clenton, an oncologist and specialist consultant at Releaf, says that “fruit juices and sports drinks are often loaded with sugar, which can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and an increased risk of various cancers.”
She warns not to be deceived by these seemingly harmless drinks, as they can be detrimental to overall well-being. “High sugar intake is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation, all of which increase the risk of developing various types of cancer."
2. Flavored Plant-Based Milk
This one may be a surprise, but Michael O. McKinney, a physician from Healthy Outlook, explains further and notes that “store-bought almond, oat, or soy milk can be sweetened with sugar and other flavors. Some may also use carrageenan as a thickening agent; this substance was found to cause soreness in animal intestines, which themselves precede colorectal cancer.”
Instead, he wants consumers to go for plain and unadulterated plant-based milk. “Remember, if the first ingredient isn’t the milk itself or nuts, seeds, or soy, then it may contain added sugars or other unhealthy ingredients.” Another tip: because these types of milk are usually popular additions in coffee, neuroscientist Dr. Robert Love warns against conventional coffee altogether—aka coffee that's not organic. "It’s a surprise to most people because [coffee] is so healthy. Organic coffee is terrific for your brain, but conventional coffee can be sprayed with pesticides," he explains. Noted!
3. Artificial Sweeteners
Often found in sugar-free diet foods, these contain things such as aspartame and sucralose. While they may seem like a good alternative, some studies have linked these sweeteners to weight gain, insulin resistance, and increased cravings for sugary foods. Moreover, there are concerns about their potential carcinogenic effects when consumed in large amounts over time.
And although they may save you calories in the short term, you may just be prolonging an increased sugar intake when you choose these varieties over natural ones. That's because, as Richards explains, "false sugar substitutes can cause us to crave sugar more than when we eat real sugar. This is because these sugar alternatives are many times sweeter than real sugar, which can desensitize us to the sweetness of actual sugar." Who knew?!
"Another side effect of artificial sweeteners is the likelihood that the consumer will overeat in the following meal," dietitian Lisa Richards goes on, noting that these ingredients "are linked to overeating." In the long run, all those sugar cravings can contribute to overeating, weight gain, and the risk of serious diseases like diabetes.
Clenton adds, "Artificial sweeteners and certain preservatives, such as BPA, can disrupt hormone regulation and potentially contribute to hormone-sensitive cancers.”
