Experts tell us which five foods, when consumed daily, increase the risk of cancer.
Consuming red meat, ultra-processed meat, meat high in nitrites and nitrates, or smoked meat could be a determining factor in the development of cancer , especially colorectal or stomach cancer. Even small amounts of red and processed meat—for example, a slice of bacon or ham a day—can increase the risk of developing the disease.
That's the conclusion of a new study from Oxford University, funded by Cancer Research UK, which adds to the evidence on the harm caused by eating red meat: they estimate that eating three slices of bacon a day instead of one can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 20%.
Other scientific research—conducted by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the WHO , and the Mexican government—has also shed light on this issue, identifying certain components and processes that make these foods potentially carcinogenic.
Sausages are part of the cured meats and ultra-processed foods category. Photo: iStock
Below is a list of the varieties, especially red ones , that are potentially carcinogenic if consumed daily:
- Sausages, ham, bacon, and cured meats in general: contain nitrites and nitrates that, when cooked at high temperatures, can form nitrosamines, carcinogenic compounds linked to colorectal cancer.
- Smoked meats: The smoking process exposes meats to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogens.
- Beef, pork, lamb: High consumption of red meat, especially cooked at high temperatures, is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
- Fast food (hamburgers, processed pizzas, etc.): These foods tend to be high in saturated fats, trans fats, refined sugars, and sodium, factors that are associated with a higher risk of obesity and diseases such as cancer.
- Smoked foods, including smoked fish, have the same effect as smoked red meats, as they contain PAHs.
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