Table of contents:
- Breast cancer-causing foods
- 1. Red meat
- 2. Sugar
- 3. Foods that are burned
- 4. Canned food
- 5. Foods that contain trans and saturated fats
- Apart from foods that cause breast cancer, be aware of certain types of drinks
Breast cancer occurs due to the growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. This condition can be caused by many things, one of which is common, namely habits and unhealthy lifestyles. Talking about lifestyle is certainly inseparable from diet. Eating excessively unhealthy foods can be a trigger and cause of breast cancer in you. Then, what are these foods?
Breast cancer-causing foods
There are various foods and drinks that are strongly suspected of being the cause of the development of cancer cells in the breast. These foods can generally lead to obesity and the formation of certain substances or hormones that can increase the risk of cell damage in your breasts.
Therefore, you should avoid consuming these cancer-triggering foods, especially if you already have a history of breast cancer or have a family hereditary factor for this disease. If you don't even have risk factors for breast cancer, you need to reduce or avoid these foods to prevent future breast cancer.
Here are some foods that are thought to trigger and cause breast cancer:
1. Red meat
Red meat contains saturated fat and bad cholesterol which is higher than white meat, such as poultry or fish.
If you eat too much red meat in the long term, your body fat and blood cholesterol levels will continue to rise. In this condition, you are at risk for obesity, which is one of the factors that triggers the formation of breast cancer cells in the body.
Meanwhile, women who have excess fat in their bodies tend to produce more estrogen. This excess estrogen triggers the growth of breast cancer cells.
2. Sugar
Sugar is not a food that is a trigger and direct cause of breast cancer. However, eating too much sugar can increase the risk of obesity, which is one of the causes of cancer.
In addition, a study published in the British Medical Journal states that sugary foods that contain high sugar can lead to insulin resistance.
In this condition, your body cannot respond to insulin, which is needed to control blood sugar. As a result, more blood sugar or glucose flows freely in your blood vessels.
This in turn causes the body to produce more estrogen and androgen hormones, which can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
Therefore, you should limit your consumption of sugar, including granulated sugar and sugar in almost all packaged food and beverage products. To be healthier, replace the habit of consuming sugary drinks with plain water, so as not to cause various deadly diseases, including breast cancer.
3. Foods that are burned
Grilling or grilling meat can cause cancer, especially when done over high heat and for a long time.
The reason is, the burning of this meat triggers the formation of compounds heterocyclic amines (HCA) and policyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), which is classified as a carcinogen. The carcinogens in food can cause the development of cancer cells, including the breast.
HCA is formed from amino acids, glucose, and creatine in the muscles of cattle, chickens, or goats which react to the heat of hot coals. Meanwhile, PAH is formed when fat and liquid in the meat come out and drip into the burning fire, causing flames and smoke. The smoke that contains PAH then sticks to the meat you are going to eat.
HCA and PAH are two compounds that are mutagenic, which can cause DNA changes, which can increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, you should avoid eating burnt foods, especially if you already have a history of breast cancer. Instead, you can cook in healthier ways, such as boiling or steaming.
4. Canned food
Canned food is also believed to be a factor in triggering the development of breast cancer. This is because the inside of the can is generally coated with bisphenol-A (BPA).
BPA is a chemical that has been shown to damage DNA in the body.
In addition, canned foods also tend to contain sugar, salt and preservatives. These various additional ingredients are of course unhealthy for the body if too much is consumed
If you're shopping for canned goods, make sure the can is clearly labeled "BPA Free". You should also limit your consumption of canned foods so they don't cause breast cancer.
To avoid the causes of breast cancer, it is better to consume more fresh food. Choose fresh vegetables, fruit, and fish that are in the market for you to process yourself at home.
5. Foods that contain trans and saturated fats
The body needs fat intake as a source of energy it needs daily. However, the type of fat needed is healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Conversely, foods containing trans fats and saturated fats need to be avoided or limited because they are not good for the body. Eating too much food that contains these two bad fats can be one of the causes of breast cancer.
The high fat content is usually found in processed and packaged foods, such as biscuits and snacks. Meanwhile, high saturated fat content is usually found in coconut milk, butter and dairy products.
Apart from foods that cause breast cancer, be aware of certain types of drinks
In addition to the foods mentioned above, alcoholic drinks can also trigger and cause the development of various types of cancer, including breast. Breastcancer.org says alcohol can increase levels of the hormone estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone receptor positive breast cancer.
Therefore, for those of you who like to drink alcohol, you should limit the consumption portion, which is only 1-2 glasses per week. It would be much better if you give up this habit altogether for the sake of your health.
After avoiding these breast cancer-triggering foods, you need to increase your consumption of vegetables, fruits, and other breast cancer-preventing foods. With a healthy lifestyle, your body will be fitter and you will avoid this deadly disease.