Doctor reveals 20 high-risk foods leading to cancer or increased risk of diabetes if consumed regularly

A doctor has listed 20 kinds of foods commonly found in supermarkets or restaurants that are harmful to health, surprisingly including some seemingly healthy vegetables and fruits. These can harbor hidden health traps like carcinogens, diabetes risk, and brain damage due to improper storage or cooking methods.

Japanese media Shukan Josei Prime interviewed four doctors, including plastic surgeon Dr. Utashima Daisuke, internal medicine and preventive medicine specialist Dr. Aoki Tatsuya, internal medicine physician Dr. Ishihara Nina, and diabetes specialist Dr. Makita Zenji. They were invited to share foods they would absolutely avoid choosing at restaurants or supermarkets.

Aoki stated that natural foods that are not overly processed are best, including vegetables, shellfish, fish, mushrooms, etc. Many processed foods people buy daily contain large amounts of toxins or harmful ingredients. Therefore, daily diet requires discernment: be aware of the nutrients you lack and supplement them, while eliminating unnecessary foods. 

Below are the foods the four doctors recommend avoiding:

1. Grilled/Barbecued Meat: Red meats like beef and pork are classified in "Group 2A" ("probably carcinogenic to humans") for cancer risk. Consuming an extra 100-120g daily also increases stroke risk by 11%. Additionally, charred meat contains the carcinogen acrylamide, which easily reacts adversely with proteins in cells, bones, and nerves.

2. Ham, Sausages: Processed meats are classified in the highest-risk "Group 1" for cancer risk, indicating they are "carcinogenic to humans."

3. Bananas: While rich in dietary fiber, they are among the highest-sugar fruits, potentially causing blood sugar spikes, diabetes, and obesity. Especially imported bananas may contain antifungal agents. Animal tests show these agents can be carcinogenic, teratogenic, and act as environmental hormones.

4. Pre-cut Vegetables: To prevent discoloration, sterilize, and disinfect, pre-cut vegetables may be treated with trace amounts of sodium hypochlorite during manufacturing, a highly toxic substance.

5. Concentrated/Reconstituted Fruit Juice: Beneficial components like dietary fiber are almost entirely removed during production, and residual pesticides may be present.

6. Mentaiko (Spicy Pollock Roe): Its bright pink color often comes from added sodium nitrite, which can react with secondary amines in meat to form nitrosamine carcinogens.

7. Brightly Colored Pickles: Pickled radish, ginger, etc., may contain tar-based dyes. These artificial colors may harm children's development and brains, potentially leading to ADHD.

8. Udon Noodles and Pasta: Udon is a representative refined carbohydrate; overconsumption may increase fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance risk. Pasta made from wheat flour raises blood sugar and is also relatively high in salt.

9. White Rice: Eating one extra bowl of white rice daily increases diabetes risk by 11%. The carbohydrates in white rice break down into glucose, the same as white sugar.

10. Cream: Contains large amounts of saturated fatty acids, which may increase blood triglycerides and cholesterol, raising the risk of myocardial infarction.

11. Sweet Bread, Cakes: Excessive sugar intake is harmful to health, affects weight control, and may increase the risk of death from causes like myocardial infarction.

12. Margarine: Contains trans fats which may raise bad cholesterol in the body, leading to conditions like arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, and Alzheimer's disease.

13. Zero-Calorie Drinks: Especially diet drinks containing aspartame, which may lead to excessive appetite and increase the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis.

14. Canned Cocktails: High-alcohol canned cocktails may paralyze the central nervous system, making people prone to losing control, getting into arguments, or behaving violently.

15. Deep-Fried Foods: Ingredients may not be fresh, and fried meats are rich in AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products) that promote aging. Fried foods left in shops for too long have a higher degree of oxidation.

16. Brown Sauces: Such as okonomiyaki sauce, yakisoba sauce, curry roux blocks, etc. They may contain caramel color made by heating starch, etc.; certain types contain carcinogens.

17. Canned Fruit: The fruit source is unclear, possibly using large amounts of pesticides. The syrup contains excessive sugar and additives. To extend shelf life, many unknown ingredients may be added.

18. Japanese Izakaya (Pub) Bar Snacks: Often fried, high-salt foods harmful to the body. It's recommended to choose simpler dishes like edamame or vinegared side dishes.

19. French Fries: High-temperature heated carbohydrate foods can produce the carcinogen acrylamide. Studies suggest people who eat French fries more than twice a week have a higher mortality risk.

20. Potato Chips: Fried snacks contain acrylamide. Furthermore, oil oxidizes after being fried for a period, which is harmful to the body.