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What Foods Increase Cancer Risk?

Researchers from around the world have compiled data on foods that increase cancer risk. In this video, Dr. Stengler highlights some of the most common foods that increase cancer risk.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

**Begin Transcript**Hi everyone. Today I want to talk about what foods increase cancer risk. You know researchers from around the world have compiled data on foods that increase cancer risk. And this was taken from 7000 scientific studies that were independently reviewed by 21 world renowned scientists. And here are some of the highlights of what they found in this research. In terms of strong evidence on what increases cancer risk, they found that foods preserved by salt increases the risk of cancer of the stomach. Now what about alcohol? Researchers found that it increases the risk of cancer of the bowel, kidney cancer. And this is based on two or more drinks a day, as well as breast cancer both pre and post menopausal, mouth cancer, pharynx cancer, larynx cancer, esophageal cancer, and liver and stomach cancer. And those were based on three or more drinks a day. Now I should point out that recently the American Society of Clinical Oncology has formally stated that alcohol consumption just in general is a risk factor for multiple cancers. Even modest use of alcohol may increase cancer risk. And that one drink per day or less was still associated with some elevated risk for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus as well as oropharyngeal cancer and breast cancer. Now, maté a South American herbal tea, it's been shown to increase the risk of esophageal carcinoma or cancer. However, you should know the evidence of the risk is only apparent when the tea is drunk scalding hot through a metal straw. So it's really not conclusive. Also Cantonese style salted fish increases the risk of cancer of the nasal pharynx. And processed meats such as bacon, salami, and ham increases the risk of cancer of the bowel or colorectal cancer as well as stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, and goat, increases the risk of cancer of the bowel as well as blood cancers. A high glycemic index or high glycemic load which measures how much one's blood sugar and ultimately their insulin levels are raised by foods has been shown to increase the risk of cancer of the endometrium. And in line with this did you know that whole wheat bread has a worse glycemic rating than soda pop. Now aflatoxins have been shown to increase the risk of cancer of the liver. These are toxins produced by certain fungi through the inappropriate storage of food. Generally more of an issue in warmer regions of the world. Foods that may be affected include cereals, spices, peanuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, chilis, black pepper, dried fruits and figs. Now you should know that drinking water containing arsenic increases the risk of bladder and skin cancer. And the Environmental Protection Agency has shown that certain areas of the United States do have too high of levels of arsenic in the drinking water. For a complete list of treatments offered and conditions addressed at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, please visit our website call or e-mail the clinic with any questions you may have.**End Transcript**

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