Foods can both increase and lower your risk for cancer. A balanced diet can help decrease overall risks; but be wary of processed and overcooked items containing carcinogens such as processed meats. Incorporating cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables into meals may also prove useful in combatting cancer.

Coffee may help lower risk for some cancers such as bowel and liver cancers and also decrease heart disease risk; however, its roasting process releases chemicals known to damage DNA which are carcinogenic in animals as well as damaging DNA in humans.

Not only can fried starchy foods (like French Fries and potato chips), toasted breads, cookies, crackers and cereals contain cancer-causing chemicals. More than 50 percent of our diet’s acrylamide intake comes from these foods in the U.S.

Acrylamide can also be produced when cooking starchy foods at high temperatures, including baking, roasting and frying. Some experts advise limiting these types of meals; however more research needs to be conducted in this area before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

Tinned foods may contain bisphenol-A (BPA), and some people believe this chemical could contribute to cancer development; however, no proof has yet emerged in support of such claims. Eating canned food products generally remains safe so long as they’re opened frequently or reheated when eating out of them.

Some types of meat, like deli meats and hotdogs, are preserved with nitrates and nitrites – carcinogenic additives linked with increased risks of colorectal and stomach cancer. When purchasing deli meats, opt for options without these additives and choose ones with low sodium and fat contents for best results.

Mushrooms, which contain phytonutrients found in plant-based substances called phytochemicals, may help fight and prevent certain types of cancers. A 2020 study concluded that increasing mushroom intake was associated with lower risks for prostate, lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

Though some foods and beverages may increase cancer risks, choosing wiser food options can significantly lower them. Avoiding processed and overcooked meats, limiting alcohol intake, eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking less soda are all ways you can lower cancer risks. To find out which specific foods can lower cancer risks further, speak to a dietitian; they’ll recommend an individual nutrition plan tailored to you as well as provide tips for maintaining lifestyle changes over time.