Empty calories: These drinks provide no nutritional value while displacing healthier options.
What the research says:
A 2019 study in the BMJ found that higher consumption of sugary drinks was associated with an increased risk of overall cancer and breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society notes that while sugar itself doesn’t directly cause cancer, high-sugar diets contribute to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction, which are cancer risk factors.
What to do:
Replace sugary drinks with water, sparkling water, unsweetened tea, or infused water.
If you crave sweetness, try a splash of 100% fruit juice in sparkling water.
Read labels—many “healthy” drinks are loaded with added sugar.
2. Processed Meats (Deli Meats, Bacon, Sausages, Hot Dogs)
What the story warns against: Processed meats stored in the fridge—deli turkey, ham, salami, bacon, sausages, and hot dogs.
Why it’s a concern:
Classified as carcinogenic: The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans.
Specific link: Processed meat consumption is strongly linked to colorectal cancer, with some evidence for stomach and throat cancers.
Preservatives: Nitrates and nitrites used in processing can form cancer-causing compounds in the body.
What the research says:
IARC concluded that each 50-gram portion of processed meat eaten daily (about 2 slices of ham) increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%.
