tea cup

Do These Foods Cause Cancer? (You’ll Be Surprised)

Man, it seems like everything these days gives us cancer.

You can’t turn on the news without seeing some report linking a food (usually a food we love) to cancer.

Over the past several months, I’ve seen stories claiming everything from coffee to processed meats to Nutella gives us cancer.

But are these reports true… or just more fake news?

Let me separate fact from fiction for you. 

Coffee: California is moving forward with a warning label on coffee because of a chemical it contains called acrylamide. Does acrylamide cause cancer?

Yes, large doses of acrylamide will cause cancer in laboratory animals. But how much?

Estimates are the dose of acrylamide needed to cause cancer is between 1,000 to 100,000 times larger than what you will find in a cup of coffee.

Bottom line: Coffee is actually great for you. It enhances brain function, increases metabolic rate, is linked to lower dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and type 2 diabetes risk. Plus, coffee drinkers live longer.  

Nutella: This chocolate/hazelnut spread is not the best nutritional food, but also not the worst. The risk (so the headlines state) is from a genotoxic (toxic to our genes) and carcinogenic (causes cancer) palm oil.

When industrial palm oil is heated to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it is toxic. But the palm oil in Nutella is very similar to coconut oil (which I consider very healthy) and never reaches temperatures over 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bottom Line:  Yes, Nutella has a lot of sugar in it, but the palm oil is safe.  

Processed meats (Bacon and hot dogs): How many years have you heard that processed meats are bad for you? There is a movement to label all red meat as bad for your health.

Nitrates (the chemicals blamed for causing cancer) were long ago proven not to cause cancer.  In fact, nitrates are great for your blood pressure!

Bottom Line:  Yes, when they put chemicals in lunch meats and when you cook meats at high temperatures, they can cause health problems. But generally speaking, eating meat is very safe and good for you. 

Hot drinks: Very hot drinks, the headlines say, can cause cancer. But if you read the study, you also must combine very hot drinks with smoking and/or heavy drinking.

Bottom Line:  Forget this one, it’s stupid.

If cancer is a concern for you, make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Avoid smoking, drinking too much, and excess sugar consumption. Throw in some exercise and you will avoid 90% of all cancers. 

Health and Happiness,

Scott Olson

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Losing Your Locks? The SURPRISING Solution

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Losing your hair sucks. The hit to your self-esteem is no joke. You might even find yourself avoiding mirrors and hoarding hats. The treatment options are limited, often come with a laundry list of side effects, and deliver results that are about as predictable as a coin flip. It’s...

Read This

REAL Drug-Free Back Pain Relief

Recently, I’ve had several exasperated people ask me, “Is back pain something I just have to live with?” I battled chronic back pain for years, so I completely understand why some folks feel so hopeless about finding relief. In fact, I used to think I was doomed to a life of pain and limitations, too....

Read This

Mailbag: When to Worry About Memory Lapses

“I’ve been experiencing some memory lapses recently, and I’m worried it might be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. My mother also had it. What symptoms should I look out for?” – Ann Hi Ann, It’s important to recognize that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of life. Our brains constantly process and...

Read This

The Unforeseen Link Between Your Gut and Your Waistline

As the weather warms up and summer approaches, many of us start thinking about shedding those extra pounds… We dust off our gym memberships, stock up on salad greens, and vow to finally fit into those shorts from last year. But what if I told you that the key to achieving a healthy weight might...

Read This

Defy Aging with the Sunshine Vitamin

If there’s one thing you absolutely must do for your health, it’s to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. I can’t stress this enough. And if you think vitamin D is only good for beefing up your bones, think again. Because while vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, recent research has revealed that this...

Read This

Detox Your Drinking Water with a Microplastics Purge

We’re surrounded by plastics. They’re everywhere, from the obvious plastic shampoo bottle to the not-so-obvious clothing on our backs. From the moment we get up in the morning until we slide beneath the sheets at night, we are in contact with them. Heck, some bedsheets contain plastic fibers, so you may ALSO be exposed while...

Read This

The TRUTH About Word Finding Troubles

Picture this. You’re having a lively conversation with a friend, and suddenly, find yourself grasping for a word that’s just out of reach. You KNOW it’s in there somewhere, hiding in the recesses of your mind. But no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to pin it down. When you have trouble word...

Read This

FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe

I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons. I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s. And the diet stuff is no better. Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are...

Read This

Discover WHY We Accidentally Overeat (and How to Stop)

Picture this… You finish eating a nice meal feeling just fine. But then, 20 minutes later, you’re groaning and clutching your belly because you feel uncomfortably stuffed. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Most of us have had this happen. Science reveals why accidental overeating occurs… and what we can do to avoid...

Read This

Find Exercise Exhausting and Painful? Try THIS Natural Fix

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: “You need to exercise.” And sure, you know how vital it is to healthy aging. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get moving—especially when you know you’ll be sore for DAYS after. However, hold on to your seat because I’ve...

Read This