Cancer: Only Two Foods Are True Culprits

Nichole Andrews, a registered dietitian specializing in oncology, has identified alcohol and processed meats as the only two food categories that significantly increase cancer risk. She clarifies that sugar intake, while potentially leading to weight gain, does not directly cause cancer. Andrews emphasizes that ethanol in alcohol is a known carcinogen, linked to various cancers including breast and liver cancer.

Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Cancer Research UK support this classification. They categorize both alcohol and processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens, meaning they are carcinogenic to humans. While not as dangerous as tobacco or asbestos, their consumption is directly linked to cancer development.

Processed meats include items like hot dogs, sausages, and bacon, transformed through methods such as curing or smoking. Chemicals like nitrates and nitrites found in these products can damage bowel cells, increasing the risk of bowel cancer. The WHO notes that even light to moderate alcohol consumption contributes to a substantial portion of alcohol-attributable cancers.