Do you know how much harm your everyday eating habits can cause to your body? Many food items that we eat for taste or convenience can prove to be poison for our health in the long run. Harmful chemicals and elements present in these foods can cause serious diseases like cancer. Food products like soda, processed meat, trans fat, and artificial colors are banned in many countries. Let us know which foods are important to avoid and how they affect our body.
1. Trans Fat
What are the disadvantages:
- Trans fat increases “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increases the risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Denmark was the first country to ban trans fats in 2003.
Where is it found:
- Fast food, packaged snacks, bakery items like cakes, cookies, and fried foods.
2. Artificial Food Color
What is the disadvantage:
- Artificial colors like tartarine, allura red, and sunset yellow have carcinogenic effects in the body.
- They are banned in countries like Norway, Finland, France, Austria, and Britain.
Where is it found:
- In candies, soft drinks, bakery products, and juices.
3. Artificial Sweetener
What is the disadvantage:
- Excessive consumption of sweeteners like acesulfame potassium can increase the risk of cancer.
Where is it found:
- In diet sodas, low-calorie sweets, and sugar-free products.
4. Processed Meat
What is the disadvantage:
- Sausage, salami, and other processed meats contain chemicals like nitrites and nitrates, which can cause cancer.
- The use of these chemicals is banned in Norway.
Where is it found:
- In sausage, hot dogs, salami, and bacon.
5. Soda
What is the disadvantage:
- Soda contains excessive sugar, which increases obesity, diabetes, and inflammation, which increases the risk of cancer.
- The phosphoric acid present in it weakens the bones.
Where is it found:
- Cola, energy drinks, and other sweetened soft drinks.
6. Canned Food
What is the disadvantage:
- Canned food contains a chemical called BPA (Bisphenol A), which causes hormonal disruption and increases the risk of breast and prostate cancer.
Where is it found:
- Cans of tomato sauce, soup, vegetables, and fruit.
7. Grilled and Charred Meat
What is the disadvantage:
- High heat or grilling of meat produces HCAs (Heterocyclic Amines) and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), which increase the risk of stomach, intestine, and breast cancer.
Where is it found:
- Barbecue and grilled meats.
8. Alcohol
What are the disadvantages:
- Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol causes damage to the liver, kidneys, and heart.
- It can increase the risk of mouth, throat, liver, and breast cancer.
- According to research, 5.8% of cancer deaths occur due to alcohol-related diseases.
9. Potato Chips
What is the disadvantage:
- Potato chips have low fiber and are full of harmful chemicals.
- These increase inflammation in the body and increase the risk of cancer.
Where is it found:
- Packaged snacks and chips.
10. Dairy Products
What are the disadvantages:
- According to some studies, regular consumption of dairy products can increase the risk of liver and breast cancer.
- Consuming 50 grams of dairy products increases the risk of liver cancer by 12% and the risk of breast cancer by 17%.
Where is it found:
- Milk, cheese, curd, and cream.