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The rising cases of cancer, especially among the youth, are worrying experts, who believe that the deadly disease is spiking due to lifestyle changes. Negligence in regular checkups delays diagnosis, while genetic and environmental factors also contribute to increased cancer risks.

Doctors say most youngsters today are eating high-fat, low-fibre diets - which do not provide nutrition to your body to boost immunity which helps fight against cancer cells. These may also increase the risk of many cancers including - bowel, lung, prostate, and uterine cancers.

And so, Dr. Nicole Andrews, a US-based oncology dietitian, shared five foods and drinks she feels are deadly.

According to Dr. Andrews, alcohol – made with acetaldehyde is toxic and can lead to permanent DNA damage, which causes cancer, especially in the bowel. Studies say the liver converts most of the ethanol in alcoholic beverages you consume into acetaldehyde. Small amounts of ethanol are also broken down in the mouth and stomach.

Apart from damaging your DNA, it also increases estrogen levels in the blood, which can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Andrews says even though processed meats are delicious – they massively increase the risk of cancer since they are loaded with chemicals that damage cells in the bowel. Most processed, non-vegetarian foods have nitrates and nitrites - which become N-nitroso chemicals when digested.

“Whether that’s pepperoni...or pre-cooked meats,” she said, “any consumption of that is going to increase your risk of cancer,” Dr. Andrews told the New York Times. Dr. Andrews suggested she specifically avoids deli meats and hot dogs, opting to make her own healthier version with raw sausage and a whole-wheat bun.

The World Health Organisation named processed meat a carcinogen – noting that there is sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer.

Dr. Andrews said she avoids drinking soda – a bottle of which has around 1000 unnecessary kilojoules. While the sugar itself does not directly increase your cancer risk, the excess kilojoules contribute to overweight and obesity, which are known risk factors for bowel, breast, pancreatic, and other cancers.

Andrews imparts, “Excess body fat tissue…increases the risk of 13 different cancers,” she said.

A high intake of refined grains is associated with an increased risk of colon and gastric cancer. Dr. Andrews says when it comes to grains, she never opts for the white variety. “I’m a whole-grain girl through and through. Whole grains are going to help you reduce risks of colon and breast cancer, and [they’ll] give you more fiber and more nutrients as well because [they’re] less processed,” she said.

White grains are mostly found in foods like bread – which are devoid of nutrients including fibre.

According to Dr. Andrews, despite the popularity of vegan, plant-based milk, it is always recommended to choose a nutrient-rich, full-fat dairy. “I don’t do the plant milk… because they are so low in protein,” she said. She also said the amazing calcium in cow’s milk reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.

Her preference is supported by experts who warn that plant-based options are not always nutritionally equal to what comes from animals.

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