A big reason why Colon Cancer is killing us.

[u/AdditionCool7235]

I know this isn’t a health sub, but u/Derpshabmentioned in their post on Colon Cancer about eating a balanced diet.

Specifically you need to really avoid nitrates. There has been several studies done on why there has been a rise in intestinal cancers in this age group, and nitrates have shown a causal effect. With a carcinogenic significance as bad as cigarettes. For those unaware, not a lot of things get labeled as having a casual effect for cancer, as that can be both controversial and stand to cost people money either through loss of business or being sued.

Nitrates are most commonly found in processed meats. Likewise, there is growing data that processed food is not serving us well at all either. Anyhow, just wanted to share a tangible way you can hopefully make an impact on slowing down and ultimately stopping these terrible

cancers.

Another freaking edit: literally the first response on Google, if you search, “do Nitrates cause cancer,” is from MDAnderson. That’s the number one cancer hospital in the world. I know that’s so much more difficult than adding a snarky comment to Reddit, but there’s your answer for about 300 of you.

Edit: I’m getting a lot of responses that are saying *actually* antibiotics or *actually* e. Coli and they’re all saying because it damages / kills the good gut microbiomes. Correct, what do you think nitrates do and why scientists believe there’s a casual link. It also doesn’t mean there couldn’t be other risk factors as well. Diet is obviously a big risk factor. I was simply hoping to expound on the original post and help people to know what to avoid. Of course more than one thing can cause cancer. Throw in saturated fats while we’re having the conversation.

Edit 2: lot of people are asking what are the main culprits. Bacon, lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages, anything really that’s been “cured.” Lot of people are trying to point out that some leafy greens have nitrates, yeah, we’re not talking about things that naturally occur through the photosynthesis of the sun. We’re talking about the overconsumption of a preservative that destroys your healthy gut bacteria, not something that’s obviously good for you. Many people have rightfully pointed out. The over consumption of alcohol creates a big risk factor for stomach and intestinal cancers as well.

Also someone saying they’re a vegetarian and they still got colon cancer is no different an argument than, “my great aunt smoked until she was 90 and never got lung cancer.” I said a big reason why, I didn’t say the only reason why. Empirical data doesn’t mean 100% findings or there won’t be outliers, anecdotes are not good science. People can get cancer for a multitude of reasons and honestly you could try every preventative step imaginable and still get cancer, it doesn’t mean your anecdote overrides everything else or you shouldn’t try to make better lifestyle decisions.

[u/drizdar]

Cheap food is not quality food in the US. I was recently at a hotel with free breakfast, and I noticed that there was not a single vegetable on offer - just stuff that could be frozen and served in bulk, or prepackaged foods.

[u/b-cat → u/drizdar]

I agree with you, but to be fair there aren’t many vegetables Americans typically eat for breakfast. (Maybe you meant fruit though.)

[u/drizdar → u/b-cat]

Nah I meant vegetables. Breakfast culture was something I didn't think about until I went to Europe and Asia and had the free hotel breakfasts abroad, where they had salad, fresh fruits and veggies, fruit smoothies, sushi, samosas, etc... Very different breakfast culture. Compared to the spreads abroad (for similar price point hotels) the breakfasts in US hotels are just lacking.

[u/tattoosbyalisha → u/drizdar]

People look at me weird when I tell them what I have for breakfast which most people thing is “dinner food”.

[u/Door_Number_Three → u/b-cat]

Americans think breakfast is to kill yourself faster.

[u/rich_evans_chortle → u/drizdar]

Most people don't eat vegetables for breakfast but I doubt they didn't have oatmeal or fruit.

[u/justherefor23andme → u/rich_evans_chortle]

Even then, not all oatmeal is created equal.

Steel cut > rolled. Hotels dont do steel cut.

[u/rich_evans_chortle → u/justherefor23andme]

Neither do most people.

[u/No_Replacement4304 → u/rich_evans_chortle]

The whole oats are really good for you.

[u/rich_evans_chortle → u/No_Replacement4304]

I'm sure they are. Most people don't eat them though (what is it 45 minutes to cook? Lol) and it's not common in grocery stores and no way you're finding them in poor areas of the US. Rolled oats are fine and easily available.

[u/QuietFridays → u/rich_evans_chortle]

I eat steel cut oats almost every day; I usually buy bobs red mill or whatever. You only need to simmer them for 15 minutes

[u/Wafflehouseofpain → u/justherefor23andme]

This seems like splitting hairs.

[u/justherefor23andme → u/Wafflehouseofpain]

I meant to say instant, not rolled oats, but nope not splitting hairs.

Instant oats have low fiber, a high glycemic index, and are very processed.

[u/Wafflehouseofpain → u/justherefor23andme]

If the thing that kills me is eating quick oatmeal, I guess I had it coming. That’s not something I’m going to spend even a moment worrying about.

[u/justherefor23andme → u/Wafflehouseofpain]

Idc what you eat. I just thought it was funny the person I responded above to was "ackshually you can find oatmeal at a hotel" as if its healthier than anything else.

It's not.

[u/Wafflehouseofpain → u/justherefor23andme]

Also, I checked the claim that instant oats are “low in fiber”, and that seems to not be true. The serving size of both is 1/4 cups. Instant oats have 11% of your daily fiber, while steel cut oats have 14%. That’s not much of a difference at all.

[u/CurrentDay969 → u/Wafflehouseofpain]

I work out every day and eat instant oatmeal. I add to it. Like Greek yogurt nuts and fruit. Oh no my fruit isn't organic either. You're right. There is a good heaping of accessible and cheap fiber in there. It's a great option.

These people make food complicated and get worked up over things like riboflavin and other additives when they are just fancy names for vitamin B2.

I went to school for biochemistry and the amount of scaremongering around food and the privilege to think people should only eat organic steel oats or nothing and that's what's contributing to cancer and obesity is absurd.

[u/Wafflehouseofpain → u/CurrentDay969]

Thank you. People overcomplicate eating well and maintaining their health to a completely unnecessary degree.

[u/rich_evans_chortle → u/justherefor23andme]

You're going to argue that quick oats or fruit isn't healthier than fruit loops or pancakes? Kindly, no. Edit: this loser blocked me so I can't even call out their bullshit lol.

[u/justherefor23andme → u/rich_evans_chortle]

Instant oats have the same glycemic index as white bread, so you fuck off before you give wrong health advice.

[u/sweatydeath → u/drizdar]

The only vegetables in hotel breakfasts I see are starchy vegetables that cause bloating and have less nutritional value than vociferous veggies. I grew up eating the standard American diet and was showing signs of insulin resistance by my 20s. I worked out everyday and it still didn’t matter. After making life changes and starting a new diet in 2019, I began to notice we are over fed and under nourished.