A number of products contain carcinogens – substances that can cause the appearance of malignant tumors or increase the frequency of their occurrence. They enter food from the environment or arise from food processing. Professor, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, scientific consultant of the Interlab company Yakov Yashin told about this to “Arguments and Facts”.
“When you cook meat or flour dishes and heat food above 120 degrees, two types of carcinogenic substances begin to form in them. They cause mutations in our cells and contribute to the development of cancer,” the specialist explained.
So, he called to reduce consumption or abandon any smoked products (meat, fish, sprats, cheese), as they form polyaromatic hydrocarbons, including benzpyrene. This list includes breads, biscuits, chips and other fried and baked foods with a “crust” due to their acrylamide content. Meat products with a “crust” (shish kebab, grill, barbecue) contain heterocyclic amines, and meat and sausage products contain nitrosamines. Cereals, peanuts, pistachios often contain mycotoxins, Yashin warned.
“But, on the other hand, there are many foods containing substances that block their action. Therefore, the consumption of such foods protects or stops the development of cancer. There are many studies showing that this is the effect of polyphenols contained in plant foods,” said he.
In a number of products against cancer, he included green tea, cocoa, red wine; fruits (especially yellow and orange), berries (especially cranberries and grapes), onions; turmeric and herbs; olives, olive oil; tomatoes; red fish and caviar, shrimp, seaweed; soy; mustard; cabbage (especially broccoli); flax, rye, pumpkin and turnips.
In January, nutritionist Mikhail Ginzburg said that onions have an oncostatic effect and protect against cancer. The querticin contained in this product strengthens the vascular walls and has anti-inflammatory effects. Garlic and ginger also have similar properties.