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

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted April 2, 2018

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,

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

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

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 By Dr. Scott Olson, ND