7 of the Most Unhealthy, Cancer-Causing Foods

Let’s face it: it’s challenging to eat all-healthy foods all the time. Sometimes we just want an easy pre-processed meal for a late dinner, while other times we choose to indulge in a junky treat as a comfort food. But do you know the difference between foods with a little extra fat or sugar, and foods that contain dangerous carcinogens which could do long-term damage to your health? You might be surprised!

There are seven extra-unhealthy, carcinogen-laden foods in particular that you should be sure to avoid. Read on to find out what they are and what ill effects they can have—for your health’s sake!

(List and information via Renegade Health.)

1. Processed Meat: Meats preserved by smoking, curing, or salting, or that contain chemical preservatives, are linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. Most are manufactured with a carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite, used to turn packaged meats a bright red color so they look fresh. A 2005 study from the University of Hawaii found that processed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. Hot dogs, in particular, are made up of meat scraps, including organs, nerve tissue, bone pieces, and other unsavory animal parts. Animals that donate them are likely to have been fed grains laced with hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, and fecal matter. After a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) declared that consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives. These include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami, and virtually all red meat used in frozen and prepared meals.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lynn C.

10:06PM PDT on May 22, 2013

May 22
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Darren W.

12:48PM PDT on May 19, 2013

I actually like a prefer healthy food to processed, fast food, so don't find it an issue even when I'm rushed and want something quick... if you want quick, you can microwave most healthy food, and still enjoy it...

Processed food, once you've enjoyed real and/or organic food, tastes plastic.

May 19
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Winn A.

7:04PM PDT on May 9, 2013

Thanks

May 9
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Vita P.

12:10PM PDT on May 9, 2013

Thank you for info.

Frances D.

12:49PM PDT on May 5, 2013

The salted water is good for washing apples.I am sure it works for all fruit,

May 5
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Fi T.

4:28AM PDT on Apr 20, 2013

Eat smartly

April 20
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Jessica F.

7:46AM PDT on Apr 9, 2013

What I want to know is, when talking about the harm of pesticides from "dirty" fruits, can these pesticides be avoided or deeply reduced by washing them with a veggie wash, or peeling the skin off the apples?

April 9
send a green star

Stine F.

4:09AM PDT on Apr 9, 2013

Interesting and worrying information. I had heard that canned food was not the healthiest, but I didn't know it was that bad. And I eat a lot of canned tomatoes. Luckily, they are also available in a kind of cardboard box, I hope that is healthier and will chose those from now on! Also, luckily, as a vegetarian I don't have to worry about salmon and processed meat. The apple information was scary though.

Sue H.

7:45AM PDT on Apr 8, 2013

This was scary, we do not eat many of these, but like chips... gone!! I knew farmed salmon was bad, they keep trying to say - it is no problem,this one is farmed different and under higher standards, RIGHT! Just wait until they flood the market with GMO salmon... watch out!!