Do you feel overwhelmed by all the information about the dangers of certain foods, drinks and household products? New research is constantly being released on the harmful chemicals and ingredients we often use unknowingly every day, often making us wonder if these things are safe to use or consume. In the research conducted in 2022, the three most risky substances found in the home and causing cancer were identified.
DANGERS THAT CAUSE CANCER
The link between non-stick cookware and our health has proven complex over the years. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – are synthetic chemicals used in items such as waterproof clothing, cleaning products and nonstick cookware. These substances are known to be among the most important catalysts of a number of health risks associated with non-stick pans. In fact, PFASs are sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they are digested extremely slowly and are known to stay in your body and environment forever.
INCREASES THE RISK OF CATCHING LIVER CANCER
Past studies have found a link between PFAS and things like liver disease and cancer, but most of this research has been done on animals, which limits our overall understanding. Research published in JHEP Reports Innovation in Hepatology in 2022 confirmed a link between PFAS and liver cancer. Not only that, it used human samples from blood and tissues previously collected from more than 200,000 people. Liver cancer was detected in 50 of these samples. And when the researchers looked at their blood before the cancer developed, they found high levels of PFAS. According to a report on research from the Keck School of Medicine at USC, participants in the top 10% of PFAS exposures were 4.5 times more likely to develop liver cancer than those in the bottom 10%.
2- ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
It should come as no surprise that eating highly processed foods such as fast food, soda, packaged baked goods is linked to a variety of health complications. Past research has found a link between ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. But in August 2022, a new study was published showing a confirmed link between these foods and colorectal cancer, especially in men.
MEN ARE CONNECTED TO CANCER
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, examined three large cohorts of 3,216 colorectal cancer cases. Among these cases, those who consumed the most ultra-processed foods had a 29% greater risk of developing cancer than those who consumed the least of these foods. Interestingly, higher consumption of processed meat, seafood, and poultry products, as well as carbonated beverages, were found to be the leading causes of this increased risk compared with other types of ultra-processed food. Also, although the study evaluated both male and female participants, there was no link between ultra-processed foods and colorectal cancer in women.
3- ARTIFICIAL SWEETERS
It was recommended that you choose diet drinks over regular drinks to reduce your intake of added sugar. Unfortunately, research from March 2022 found a possible link between artificial sweeteners, such as those used in diet drinks, and an increased risk of cancer.
STAY AWAY FROM ARTIFICIAL SWEETERS
The study, published in PLOS Medicine, examined the potential cancer-causing effects of three popular types of artificial sweeteners: aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame-K; diet sodas and tabletop candy alternatives were some of the most common. Researchers found that among more than 100,000 French adults, those who consumed the highest amounts of these artificial sweeteners had a 13% higher risk of developing cancer, with aspartame and acesulfame-K particularly contributing to the highest risk.