Did you know that some of the foods you eat every day could quietly increase your risk of cancer? In a recent video, AIIMS doctor Priyanka Sehrawat issued a serious cancer warning. She highlighted three common types of foods (when consumed frequently) that can significantly raise your cancer risk. Here’s a closer look at what she said.
Cancer Warning: Three Everyday Foods That Quietly Raise The Risk
Dr Sehrawat points out three food categories that are particularly risky:
1. Fried foods or foods cooked in repeatedly heated oil. Reheating oil can produce harmful compounds such as acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are known carcinogens.
2. Ultra-processed foods. This includes packaged snacks, sugary drinks, processed meats, and ready-to-eat meals. Additives, food colours, nitrates and preservatives in these products can raise the risk of cancer.
3. Alcohol. Regular alcohol consumption doesn’t just affect the liver. It can increase the risk of cancers of the oesophagus and pancreas as well.
Her cancer warning message is that what you eat and drink daily can have a long-term impact on you and may raise the risk.
What Research Shows
Scientific studies support her cancer warning. Research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has shown a clear link between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of cancer.
Eating large amounts of packaged snacks, processed meats, or sugary drinks can raise the risk of cancers such as colorectal, breast, pancreatic and throat cancer. Even small increases in the intake of these foods can have a measurable effect on cancer risk.
The global shift toward ultra-processed foods is concerning, as many people now rely heavily on packaged and ready-to-eat meals for convenience.
Here are some simple steps to lower your risk:
1. Choose fresh food instead of fried or reheated dishes.
2. Replace packaged snacks and processed meals with fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and home-cooked food.
3. Limit sugary drinks and processed meats.
4. Reduce alcohol intake or choose non-alcoholic alternatives.
5. Check food labels and avoid products with long lists of additives or preservatives.
Well, this is a “Cancer Warning” worth taking seriously. Even small, consistent dietary changes like cooking at home, eating more whole foods and avoiding heavily processed items can make a big difference over time. You don’t need drastic measures. Simple, mindful choices today can help protect your health for years to come.
