Health favorite food has potential link to cancer
In this DML Report…
A British doctor, TikTok’s Dr. Karan Rajan, has warned that consuming burnt toast and roast potatoes may increase cancer risk due to a chemical called acrylamide, which forms when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures above 120°C (248°F). Acrylamide, identified as a carcinogen in animal studies, is linked to tumor growth, and the World Health Organization notes its presence in foods like chips, cereals, and coffee. Dr. Rajan advises against eating charred toast or the crispy, blackened edges of roast potatoes, recommending instead to cook starchy foods to a light golden color to minimize exposure.
Dr. Rajan also highlighted the cancer risks of processed meats like sausages, bacon, ham, and pepperoni, classified as group one carcinogens by the World Health Organization, putting them in the same category as tobacco for cancer risk. These meats contain nitrites and nitrates, which can form N-nitroso chemicals (NOCs) in the digestive system, damaging bowel cells and potentially leading to cancer, according to Cancer Research UK. The warning comes amid a rise in bowel cancer cases among people under 50 in the UK and US, with experts still investigating the causes.
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While some experts argue that the amount of burnt toast or potatoes needed to significantly raise cancer risk is impractical for most people, the link between processed meats and cancer is well-established. Cancer Research UK states that nitrates in processed meats are a key factor in bowel cancer development. Dr. Rajan’s advice aligns with broader research urging reduced consumption of processed meats and careful cooking of starchy foods to lower cancer risk, particularly as early-onset cancers continue to surge.