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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Lucy Farrell

Six cancer food 'myths' debunked by experts from sweeteners to burnt toast

Cancer experts have spoken on a number of myths surrounding different foods and their supposed risks with the disease.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported its cancer research body carried out research on aspartame - one of the most common artificial sweeteners found in a number of foods and drinks. Next month, the agency is due to publish a report determining whether the sweetener found in Diet Coke and chewing gum is cancerous.

A leading cancer charity has listed a number of cancerous food 'myths', explaining what the evidence actually says about various foods causing cancer. The declaration to be made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has already caused controversy, with some claiming it has sparked fear mongering.

Now, Cancer Research UK wants to make people fully informed on what foods can actually raise the risk of cancer - and which just aren't true. According to its website, not many foods contribute to cancer, but it is understood that consuming red meat can contribute to bowel cancer.

Reuters reports that sources close to the categorisation process say that aspartame is set to be classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans", meaning there is some limited evidence that links aspartame to cancer. It's understood that the IARC also has two other more serious categories: "probably carcinogenic to humans" and "carcinogenic to humans".

Ahead of the report's publication, the charity has published a list of debunked cancer myths. Its main advice to reduce the risk of cancer is to maintain a healthy weight while eating a nutritious, balanced diet.

Here's what you should know, as reported by the Mirror.

Sugar

Sugar does not cause cancer, but it does impact weight (Getty Images/iStockphotos)

According to Cancer Research UK, sugar - including refined sugar - doesn't cause cancer.

Having too much sugar in your diet however can make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight, which could well increase the risk of developing certain types of cancers.

Eggs

It's understood that there is no good evidence to suggest that eggs increase the risk of cancer, and they can be enjoyed as a protein source as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Cancer Research UK states: "Some tins and cans are lined with something called Bisphenol-A (BPA). Some people have wondered if BPA affects cancer risk, but this is not backed up by good evidence. Eating food that has been stored in BPA-lined tins does not cause cancer.

Acrylamide or burnt food

Burnt foods contain a chemical known as acrylamide (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Burnt food contains a chemical known as acrylamide, which is developed when certain types of foods are cooked for an extended period of time at a high temperature. Eating foods containing acrylamide does not cause cancer in humans.

Artificial sweeteners

Many sugar substitutes contain aspartame (Getty Images)

According to Cancer Research UK: "Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame can be found in lots of products from diet versions of fizzy drinks to chewing gum. They do not cause cancer in humans.

Canned and tinned food

Cancer Research UK states: "Some tins and cans are lined with something called Bisphenol-A (BPA).

Some people have wondered if BPA affects cancer risk, but this is not backed up by good evidence. Eating food that has been stored in BPA-lined tins does not cause cancer."

Soy

As per the Cancer Research UK website: "Soy products such as tofu and soy milk contain chemicals called isoflavones. These are like the human hormone oestrogen, but have much milder effects.

"That's why some people have wondered if there's a link between soy products and breast cancer. But neither soy products nor isoflavones affect cancer risk."

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