When it comes to reducing your risk of developing cancer, there are countless health theories and medicinal myths that have been circling for decades.
So much so, that it can often feel impossible to distinguish the fact from the fiction.
This week, however, a certified oncology dietician has finally set the record straight when it comes to the types of foods she'd always avoid having to eat as to reduce her risk of being diagnosed with the potentially-fatal disease.
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Taking to TikTok, Nichole Andrews not only listen the items she regarded as the most toxic to the body, but explained why she'd avoid them at all costs.
And let's just say, some of them might comes a rather devastating surprise...
Green powders
Though wellbeing influencers and gut health gurus seem to swear by these mixable drink powders, Nichole says they can actually be quite harmful.
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"I would never buy those green powders and try to consider them as fruits and veggies," she told her social media followers.
"The fibre is stripped away. Sometimes they’re fortified with weird herbals that could damage your liver."
Organic fruits and vegetables
Despite recommending that viewers consume their greens in their most natural form, the health professional says that there's no need to focus so much on fruit and veggies being 'organic'.
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"Organic is really just marketing," she revealed, claiming there's actually no difference between the two. "Organics use pesticides, too."
Keto or low-carb diets
Nichole says that one of the biggest mistakes we can make whilst dieting it cutting out carbs completely in the hope that it'll help us lose weight.
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She insists that carbohydrates are absolutely essential for giving us energy and shouldn't be overlooked.
"I would never go keto or try to go on a low carb diet," she confessed. "Our bodies are built to have 50 per cent of our calorie intake come from carbs because that’s our body’s preferred energy source."
Supplements
Relying on food substitutes as opposed to consuming a proper meal in an attempt to shed a few pounds can also be detrimental, the oncologist says, being that these tablets and shakes can actually increase the risk of cancer.
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"High-dose supplements over 200 per cent daily value act as free radicals," she explains.
"Free radicals are things that damage your cell DNA. The first step of cancer is a damaged cell that cannot be repaired."
Alcohol
Sadly, Nichole says that drinking booze can actually increase our risk of developing six different types of cancer.
"I do not drink alcohol ever, no type of alcohol," she confessed.
Processed meats
I mean, we all know by now that burgers and other junk food aren't exactly the healthiest lunchtime choices, but according to this health pro, these such foods are all pretty hefty contributors to the likes of colorectal cancer.
"This is gonna be your pepperoni, your sausage, your deli meat, your bacon, your pre-cooked meats," she added. "Take those out."
Allegedly 'high-protein' products
Whilst getting protein into our diets is essential for our general wellbeing and nutrition, Nichole says we shouldn't put an unhealthy amount of pressure onto ourselves to increase our intake.
This is because, she says, not all foods with a 'high-protein' label actually contain that much.
"High protein cookies, high protein doughnuts, high protein [crisps] are still doughnuts, cookies and [crisps]," she explains.
Avoiding breakfast
Whilst it's not a particular food, Nichole warned her viewers never to avoid eating breakfast, insisting that it actually is the most important meal of the day.
"Waking up each day and being hungry in the morning is actually the sigh of a healthy metabolism."
Nichole also highly recommends getting your beauty sleep - with seven hours being the essential amount as it 'balances your hormones and helps your cells rebuild, your muscles rebuild', as well as exercise and making sure your body is moving throughout the day.
Topics: Health, Food and Drink, Life Hacks, Life