Hussain Abdeh, superintendent pharmacist from Medicine Direct, named the everyday food which could cause bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Depending on its exact location, it can also be called colon or rectal cancer.
Staple of many kitchens, white bread could potentially be cancer causing, according to Mr Abdeh.
He said: “White bread contains processed grains, which can increase the risk of colon cancer.
“The refined grains and white flour in white bread can increase the body’s blood sugar levels, which can result in insulin resistance.
“As a result, the risk of colon cancer may be increased too.”
If you’re not aware, insulin resistance happens when your cells in the muscles and liver aren’t responding well to the hormone insulin. This means your cells can’t easily take up glucose, also known as sugar, from your blood.
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The pharmacist explained how exactly the grains could be harmful. Mr Abdeh said: “Refined grains are like whole grains, minus all the goodness.
“The only thing left in refined grains is the high-carbohydrate and high-calorie endosperm.
“They are classed as empty calories; when they are consumed, they are broken down very quickly and spike your blood sugar levels.
“As a result, we are more likely to eat more food, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
“These issues can cause conditions like type 2 diabetes, which has been linked to certain cancers.”
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However, some experts believe the research on white bread and cancer risk isn’t that convincing.
Karis Betts, health information manager at Cancer Research UK said: “There is no good scientific evidence that eating white bread increases your risk of colorectal cancer.
“While eating a healthy balanced diet can lower the risk of cancer, no single food has a massive impact on this risk.
“So, it’s more important to focus on having a healthy diet overall, rather than on specific foods.”
Mr Abdeh added that as with any food, having white bread “in moderation” could be “key”.
He advised: “Eating small amounts of refined grains, such as a small slice of cake once or twice a week, is unlikely to seriously increase your risk of cancer.
“However, substituting white bread for brown wholemeal bread can reduce serious risks by incorporating more fibre into your diet.
“You should also balance this out with plenty of high-fibre foods, as well as the recommended amount of fresh fruit and vegetables each day.”
