5 Foods That Increase the Risk of Ovarian Cancer
Often accompanied by few symptoms, ovarian cancer is usually undetected until the condition progresses. By the time it gets diagnosed, the cancer cells multiply and affect the ovaries,leading to fatal stages, where it is more difficult to treat and control. This type of cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the country and remains to be a risk for all women if preventive measures aren’t practiced.
The following foods are known to trigger abnormal growths in women and hence must be avoided from your regular diet:
- Foods with dietary acrylamide
Dietary acrylamide is a compound that is often found in highly processed foods. Such processed or fried foods also contain several other artificial ingredients that are bad for your health for several reasons. Acrylamide in specific, is known to be a “probable carcinogen” according to several studies which means that it could potentially trigger the growth of cancer-causing cells in the body. - Animal products
Red meats and processed meats are known to trigger and cause cancer in people. Hence, it is often recommended by health professionals to steer clear of red meats and stick to leaner and healthier options like fish, turkey, and chicken. - Sugar
For those seeking to avoid ovarian cancer, it is recommended that people follow an anti-inflammatory diet, which helps fight cancer. Sugar is a major ingredient that causes inflammation in people consuming it and is found in most packaged and processed foods. It is advised to completely eliminate added sugars from your regular diet. - Alcohol intake
Excessive consumption of alcohol is known to increase the risk of cancer. It is recommended that people restrict their consumption of alcohol to one glass a day, if not lesser. It is also true, however, that if consumed in the recommended amounts of a maximum of five ounces per day, red wine is actually known to be a source of antioxidants known as polyphenols, which are known to be effective in fighting cancer. - Foods rich in trans fats
Saturated and trans fats are often found in higher amounts in processed and packaged foods. Excessive consumption of such processed fats is known to be connected to foods causing ovarian cancer in many women. Hence, it is recommended that such foods be limited, if not completely eliminated, from one’s diet.
Apart from the above-mentioned dietary restrictions, it is also important to aid your diet with sufficient exercise and maintenance of a healthy weight. Since ovarian cancer is not caused due to habits like excessive drinking or smoking, the only way to ensure prevention is by maintaining good health and including a wide range of healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables in your diet.