Lao Wang is an authentic foodie, especially loves meat. Barbecue, roast chicken, braised pork, that's a meal. He loves sauerkraut and pickles the most, and thinks they are good partners for rice.
On this day, Lao Wang bought a bunch of meat and pickles as usual, and was about to open the pot to eat, when his wife advised him: "Old man, eat less of these, it is not good for your health, especially at our age, you should pay more attention." "
Lao Wang disagreed: "I've eaten it all my life, it's okay, besides, what's wrong with meat, make up for it!"
My wife shook her head: "I only saw an article two days ago, saying that '3 meat and 2 vegetables' are the most likely to cause intestinal cancer, you eat it every day, and you are not afraid of getting sick?"
"What '3 meats and 2 dishes'?" Lao Wang asked curiously.
"It's the 'three meats' of red meat, barbecue meat, and processed meat, as well as the 'two dishes' of sauerkraut and pickles. "My wife patiently explained," the article said, these foods either contain carcinogens, or lack of fiber, in short, eating too much is not good for the intestines, and it is easy to get intestinal cancer. "
Lao Wang was a little stunned: "So, I've been eating 'carcinogenic food' all these years?"
My wife sighed: "I can't say that." Eating some meat and supplementing with high-quality protein is good for the body. However, eating a large amount like yours, especially red meat and processed meat products, has too much fat in it, and it is easy to produce harmful substances during the cooking process, which has an irritating effect on the intestinal mucosa, which will indeed increase the risk of bowel cancer. "
"What about sauerkraut and pickles? I've been eating them for so many years, and I don't feel sick. Lao Wang asked suspiciously.
"Sauerkraut and pickles are mostly pickled foods, with high salt content, and carcinogens such as nitrite may be produced during fermentation. Long-term consumption of large amounts will also increase the risk of bowel cancer. In addition, they are generally deficient in dietary fiber, which is important for bowel cancer prevention. My wife said.
"Oh, I would have eaten less if I had known. Lao Wang said angrily, "Then what should I do now? Do I have to take some medicine or something?"
"It's not a matter of medicine. "The key is to change your eating habits, first of all, eat less meat, especially red meat and processed meat products, preferably no more than 500 grams per week." Secondly, barbecue and frying should be used sparingly, steaming, boiling, and stewing more.
In addition, do not eat sauerkraut and pickles often, you can eat more fresh vegetables, which are rich in dietary fiber. In addition, eating more whole grains, beans, nuts, etc., can also help prevent bowel cancer. "
"Okay, I'm going to put away the meat and pickles, change to steamed fish, and stir-fry a vegetable salad in the evening. Lao Wang said with a smile.
"That's pretty much it. The wife nodded with satisfaction, "Also, it is also important to exercise more and keep the stool smooth." In short, when we are old, we need to take care of our bodies. "
Lao Wang's story reflects the problems that many people have in their eating habits. "3 meats and 2 dishes", i.e., red meat, barbecued meat, processed meat products, and sauerkraut and pickles, are indeed high risk factors for bowel cancer.
Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of bowel cancer is significantly higher in people who eat red meat and processed meat products than in the general population, and these foods are prone to produce carcinogens such as heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrosamines during processing and cooking.
At the same time, they are generally high in fat and low in fiber, and long-term consumption will increase the burden on the intestines, irritate the intestinal mucosa, cause chronic inflammation, and may eventually lead to cancer.
Pickled foods such as sauerkraut and pickles, which are rich in nitrite, can be converted into carcinogenic nitrosamines in the intestines, and their high salt and low fiber characteristics are also not conducive to intestinal health.
Of course, this doesn't mean that we want to eliminate these foods entirely. Moderate consumption of red meat can provide the body with high-quality protein and minerals such as iron and zinc. The key is to control your intake, choose lean meats, and cook them steamed, boiled, etc.
And sauerkraut, pickles, if you eat a little occasionally, have little impact on health. But in general, fresh fruits and vegetables should be the main thing, which are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, which can help prevent bowel cancer.
In addition to diet, lifestyle habits are also closely related to bowel cancer. Sedentary lifestyle, poor bowel movements, obesity, smoking and drinking alcohol are all risk factors for bowel cancer. Therefore, to prevent bowel cancer, in addition to a reasonable diet, it is also necessary to keep exercising, keep the stool smooth, quit smoking and limit alcohol, and control weight.
In conclusion, bowel cancer is not invincible. By changing our poor eating habits and lifestyles, we can reduce the risk of bowel cancer. At the same time, regular physical examination, early diagnosis and early treatment are also important means to control bowel cancer.
Let's start from now on, take care of our intestinal health with scientific methods, stay away from the threat of bowel cancer, and embrace a healthier and better life!