Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cell growth in one part of the body can invade and move to other organs and tissues. A total of about 400 000 adolescents and children (aged 0-19) worldwide are diagnosed with cancer every year. Leukemia, brain cancer, lymphoma, and solid tumors are the most prevalent kinds of childhood cancer. Symptoms can be highly vague or nonexistent. Some patients have unusual lumps, fevers, night sweats, unexpected weight loss, and fatigue. Leading institutions, such as the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, specialize in treating cancer in children and other terminal illnesses. Here are the top kid-friendly foods linked to cancer that you should avoid:

1. Diet soda

No or very few calories can be found in this soda type. This statement makes this soda look like a better option for your health. However, the advice of nutritionists contradicts this. According to the research, diet soda consumers eat and drink a lot more than regular soda consumers. A more significant weight gain is possible due to these additional calorie intakes. These consumers are more likely to be overweight than non-consumers. Being overweight raises your odds of developing breast, colon, uterus, kidney, and pancreatic cancers.

2. French fries

The U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) discovered that acrylamide, a chemical formed when starchy foods are fried at high temperatures, has been associated with cancer, further strengthening the already well-known association between French fries and disease. The FSA recommends cooking foods at reduced temperatures and aiming for a more golden brown rather than crispy brown. The FSA also suggests avoiding starch overload through a healthy diet and not keeping raw potatoes inside the refrigerator as other measures to limit acrylamide intake.

3. Milk and cheese

Individuals who consumed milk and cheese regularly had much-increased risks of getting breast and liver cancer. For each 50g/day ingestion, the prevalence was higher by 12% and 17%, correspondingly. Regular dairy consumption was connected with an elevated risk of lymphoma (albeit this was not statistically significant).

4. Sugary juice boxes

In the last several decades, there has been a global rise in the use of sugary drinks, strongly linked to the prevalence of obesity, which is recognized as a high-risk variable for many cancers. Research suggests that an increase of 100 ml/day in sugary juice box drink consumption is connected with an 18% increase in cancer risk.

5. Processed or cured meats

Carcinogenic substances, like N-nitroso-compounds (NOC), can be produced during meat processing, such as curing, i.e., by introducing nitrates. According to a number of studies, consuming a lot of red meat is linked to an increased danger of developing bowel cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Cruciferous vegetables are among the plant-based foods recommended for cancer prevention. Among them are kale, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Regular consumption of these foods is linked to lower cancer risk. Parents must take a preventive approach to reduce their children’s chances of getting cancer. St. Jude cancer hospital provides treatment for childhood cancer and other diseases. Through St. Jude donation, you can contribute to saving the lives of kids worldwide.