Food myths and cancer risk

You may have heard news stories about certain foods causing cancer or preventing cancer. This page looks at common cancer myths and questions about ‘cancer-causing foods’ and ‘anti-cancer foods’.

If you are looking for information about what makes a healthy diet and how eating a healthy diet reduces the risk of cancer, this can be found on our diet and cancer risk pages.

We have separate information on diet for people affected by cancer.

 

Are there foods that cause cancer (carcinogenic foods)?

If something is carcinogenic, that means it can cause cancer. There aren’t many foods that are proven to cause cancer.

But, eating lots of processed and red meat can increase your risk of bowel cancer. And drinking alcohol increases the risk of 7 types of cancer, including bowel and breast cancer.

Below we look at some common myths about foods causing cancer.

 

Do eggs cause cancer?

No, eating eggs is unlikely to cause cancer.

There is not much research looking at whether eggs can cause cancer. But the studies that exist do not provide reliable evidence for a link between eggs and cancer.

 

Does soy cause cancer?

No, eating soy does not cause cancer.

It was suggested that soy might increase the risk of cancer because it contains high levels of isoflavones. Isoflavones are natural chemicals that act like a weak form of oestrogen, which is a hormone linked to some types of cancer. But studies have found no strong evidence that eating soy increases cancer risk.

 

Does coffee cause cancer?

No, drinking coffee does not cause cancer. There’s no evidence that coffee is carcinogenic.

Instead, some recent studies suggest that drinking coffee may lower the risk of liver and womb cancers. But more research is needed to be sure.

 

Does eating tinned food cause cancer?

No, eating tinned or canned food is unlikely to cause cancer.

Some tins are lined with a chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA). Some people are worried that BPA could cause cancer, because some cell and animal studies have suggested it has cancer-causing effects. But there’s no reliable evidence that BPA causes cancer in people.

You can find out more about BPA on our page about plastic containers.

 

Does acidic food cause cancer?

No, eating acidic foods does not cause cancer.

Some people are worried that an acidic diet may cause cancer because studies of cancer cells show they grow well in acidic conditions. But there is no evidence from studies of people suggesting that eating acidic foods causes cancer.

The body maintains stable acidity levels, and eating acidic foods is unlikely to change it much. For example, extra acid from your food comes out in your pee. 

 

 

We also have specific pages for these hot topics:

• Does burnt toast cause cancer?
• Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer?
• Sugar and cancer - what you need to know
• Do genetically modified (GM) foods cause cancer?
• Foods stored in plastic containers and microwaved food

 

Are there foods that prevent cancer?

You might be wondering if there are any foods which can prevent cancer, foods people sometimes call ‘superfoods’ or ‘cancer-fighting foods’. ‘Superfoods’ are foods that are believed to improve health and prevent diseases, but often research does not support this.

No single food or ingredient can prevent cancer. But it's proven that eating a healthy, balanced diet can help to reduce the risk of cancer.

Below we look at some misleading claims about ’anti-cancer foods’.

 

Does green tea prevent cancer?

No, drinking green tea does not prevent cancer.

Some people believe that green tea might help prevent cancer because it is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are natural molecules which can protect cells from damage. But large studies have not found a clear association between green tea and a reduced risk of cancer.

 

Do tomatoes prevent cancer?

No, eating tomatoes does not prevent cancer.  

Some studies have looked at whether eating tomatoes might help prevent prostate cancer because they contain an antioxidant called lycopene. But there is no strong evidence that tomatoes or lycopene lower the risk of prostate cancer.

 

Do berries prevent cancer?

No, eating berries does not prevent cancer.

It’s often suggested that certain berries, like blueberries and acai, might be able to prevent cancer because they are high in antioxidants. But there is no evidence to support this.

Overall, fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and fibre. They should make up a big part of a healthy balanced diet.

 

Do apricot kernels prevent cancer?

No, eating apricot kernels (the seed of the apricot) does not prevent cancer, and eating them can be harmful.

Apricot kernels contain high levels of amygdalin, a chemical sometimes called "vitamin B17," although it is not actually a vitamin. Some people think that eating foods high in amygdalin might prevent cancer. But there is no evidence for this. In fact, eating too much amygdalin is harmful as it can cause cyanide poisoning.

Further information about amygdalin/vitamin B17.

 

Does taking supplements or multivitamins prevent cancer?

No, taking supplements or multivitamins does not prevent cancer.

There is no reliable evidence that supplements and multivitamins reduce the risk of cancer. Additionally, studies have shown that taking high doses of beta carotene through supplements may increase the risk of lung cancer in people who smoke.

Most people should get all the nutrients they need by eating a healthy balanced diet. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend certain vitamin and mineral supplements to treat a diagnosed medical condition or deficiency (a lack of a vitamin or nutrient).

We have separate information on vitamins and diet supplements for people affected by cancer.

 

Does an alkaline diet prevent cancer?

No, eating an alkaline diet does not prevent cancer.

There is no evidence to suggest that an alkaline diet can prevent cancer. The body maintains stable levels of acidity and alkalinity. What you eat will not significantly change this.

 

 

What is a healthy diet to reduce the risk of cancer?

Your overall diet (what you eat day-to-day) is more important for your cancer risk than any individual ingredient or food. A healthy, balanced diet can reduce the risk of cancer. This is partly because of the diet itself, but mainly because it can help you keep a healthy weight.

A healthy diet means eating mostly:

• fruit and vegetables,
• wholegrains such as wholemeal bread and brown versions of pasta and rice,
• healthy protein sources like chicken, fish and pulses

And cutting down on processed and red meat, alcohol, and foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt.

Find out more about eating a healthy balanced diet to reduce your risk of cancer.