Health

5 Top Cancer-Causing Holiday Foods

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the upcoming Christmas season, it’s important to be aware of some of the cancer-causing foods you may be eating. We all know that there are many foods that can cause cancer, but many people don’t realize what’s really in their food. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the top cancer-causing holiday foods and give you dietary tips to avoid them. From Brussels sprouts to pumpkin pie, read on to learn about the dangers of these holiday favorites.

Turkey

Baked whole chicken or turkey for Christmas

Turkey is a popular holiday food in the United States. It’s one of the top cancer-causing foods according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). Why? Turkey is high in fat and sodium, which can increase your risk of developing cancer.

To make things worse, many Thanksgiving recipes call for turkey with gravy and stuffing. These dishes are packed with fat, sugar, and salt. The WCRF says that these ingredients can increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 73%.

If you’re going to include turkey on your Thanksgiving meal, try to make healthy substitutions like grilled chicken or fish instead. And avoid any holiday favorites like pumpkin pie that are high in sugar and calories.

Cranberry Sauce

cranberry sauce on the table for thanksgiving dinner with decorated table

Cranberry sauce is a popular Thanksgiving dish that is often packed with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. This holiday classic can easily cause cancer if you’re not careful. Here are five reasons to ditch cranberry sauce this year:

1. It’s high in sugar. A cup of cranberry sauce typically has around 25 grams of sugar, which is more than your recommended daily limit for healthy adults!

2. It’s loaded with unhealthy additives. Many store-bought versions of cranberry sauce include artificial colors, flavors, and even sweeteners like aspartame. These additives can quickly spike your blood sugar levels and promote weight gain, among other health problems.

3. It contains carcinogens. Cranberry sauce is full of compounds called polyphenols, which have been shown to be harmful to the body when consumed in large quantities over time. Several studies have found that high concentrations of these compounds can increase the risk of cancer development or progression in both humans and animals.

4. It can increase inflammation throughout the body. Studies have shown that consuming high levels of polyphenols can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which could lead to chronic diseases like cancer down the line.

5. It’s a poor source of nutrients. Most commercially available cranberry sauces are loaded with sugars and unhealthy fats, which means they don’t provide much nutritional value beyond empty calories. If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving dessert that will satiate your hunger without the wreck.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potato. Potato mash with garlic and parsley. Boiled potato. Potato puree

Mashed potatoes are a delicious and classic side dish. They can be made with either white or sweet potatoes, and usually contain butter or cream. However, mashed potatoes can also cause cancer.

Mashed potatoes are a popular dish in the United States and Canada. They can be made with either white or sweet potatoes, and usually contain butter or cream. However, mashed potatoes can also contain high levels of carcinogens.

One study found that when cooked with the skin on, white potato mash contained high levels of thyroid carcinogens (including beta-sitosterol). This carcinogen is linked to cancer in humans. Another study found that when boiled, sweet potato mash contained high levels of acrylamide, a chemical that is known to cause cancer in animals. Acrylamide is created when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures.

Therefore, it is important to be careful when cooking mashed potatoes for yourself or your loved ones. If you choose to make them at home, try using lower-sodium broth or vegetable broth instead of cream or butter. Alternatively, try replacing some of the mashed potatoes altogether with roasted vegetables such as sweetcorn and carrots.

Garlic Gravy

Freshly cooked chicken and mushroom in garlic gravy

Garlic gravy is a classic holiday dish. It’s simple, but it can be made with lots of different ingredients and flavors. Here are some of the most cancer-causing foods to add to your gravy:

Onions: Onions are a big source of antioxidant compounds, including quercetin. But they’re also high in sulfur, which can form carcinogenic compounds when cooked at high temperatures. So use them sparingly in your gravy if you want to avoid causing cancer.

Butter: Butter is a dairy product and contains cholesterol, which is linked to heart disease and other illnesses. Cancer cells thrive in an environment that’s rich in cholesterol and butter contributes significantly to that burden.

Heavy cream: Heavy cream is full of fat and calories, as well as cholesterol. All three of these factors are associated with increased cancer risk. Not to mention, dairy products contain lactose, which can also spike blood sugar levels and promote weight gain.

Holiday Cake

Cherry cake. Russian cake

Cake is definitely one of the most popular desserts at Christmas gatherings. But like everything else on this list, cake also contains high amounts of sugar which can increase your cancer risk significantly over time. If you want to avoid raising your cancer risk at Christmastime, opt for a gluten-free or vegan cake instead!