It is a known fact nowadays that the foods we eat have a great effect on our risk of developing certain types of cancer. For a food or drink to be considered a carcinogen, there should be strong evidence that relates its consumption to an increased risk of cancer and that shows how cancer may grow as a result. Over the past several decades, many types of food have been scientifically proven to potentially be carcinogenic or as capable of increasing the risk of cancer.

In the following article, you will find a list of the top cancer causing foods that you should try to eliminate from your diet:

1. Processed meats
Processed meats, which includes bacon, sausage and hot dogs, contains chemical preservatives that are used to make them look fresher. However, those chemicals are a major cause of concern. In fact, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite have been proven to increase the risk of colon cancer in addition to other cancer forms. Therefore, try to choose meat products that do not contain nitrates and that come from grass-fed sources.

2. Microwave popcorn
The possible link between cancer and microwave popcorn is not from the popcorn itself. Actually, it is from chemicals called perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) that are inside the bag. The problem with PFCs is that they break down into chemicals called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAs), which are suspected to cause cancer. PFOAs make their way to the popcorn when they are heated up and following ingestion, they end up in your bloodstream and can stay there for a while.

3. Soda and sugary drinks
Another example among the top cancer causing foods is soda pop. Like processed meats, soda pop is loaded with food chemicals, sugars and colorings. Those constituents acidify the body and feed cancerous cells. Therefore, it is extremely essential to eliminate sugary drinks from your diet to avoid the risk.

4. Low fat foods
Artificial sweeteners, which are substances used as substitutes for sucrose to sweeten foods and beverages, are also among the foods that contribute to cancer. In fact, extensive research done so far proves that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, which is the most commonly used artificial sweetener, contribute to a range of illnesses including cancer. Saccharin and sucralose and other artificial sweeteners have also been associated with cancer.

5. Refined white flours
The excess amount of carbohydrate content in refined white flours, which is a common ingredient in processed foods, is quite worrisome. The refined grains in white flour can rapidly increase the blood sugar levels in the body, which feeds cancer cell growth. Choosing whole grain foods like whole grain pasta, bread and oats, can increase your fiber intake and reduce your risk of having colon and kidney cancer.

6. Refined sugars
Similar to refined white floors, research shows that refined sugar plays an important role in fueling the prolific growth of cancer. Refined sugars, which include cakes, cookies, pies and many others, are loaded with fructose-rich sweeteners. Those sweeteners are a serious cause of concern as research shows that cancer cells proliferate by quickly metabolizing them.

It is clear that what we eat greatly affects our health. That being said, it is essential to focus on eating healthy foods, such fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, and to decrease the intake of processed foods to lower our risk of developing cancer.