Food Stored in the Refrigerator May Increase the Risk of Stomach Cancer
China reports 400,000 new cases of stomach cancer and 300,000 deaths annually. Furthermore, stomach cancer is showing a trend of affecting younger people, with the proportion of patients under 30 increasing from 1.7% in the 1970s to 3.3% currently.
Food Stored in the Refrigerator May Increase the Risk of Stomach Cancer
Before the widespread use of refrigerators, people often preserved food by pickling or smoking. Such foods contain large amounts of nitrates and nitrites, which can be converted into carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds in the stomach. In this regard, the popularization and proper use of refrigerators have reduced the incidence of stomach cancer. However, with the普及 (popularization) of refrigerators, people are more likely to eat leftover and reheated meals, and unhealthy dietary habits have become another contributing factor to the development of stomach cancer.
Frequently Eating Food from the Refrigerator Can Lead to Stomach Cancer
A refrigerator is not a safe box. In the enclosed space of a refrigerator, many bacteria can multiply even faster. Leftovers stored in the refrigerator are not only preserved but also contaminated. Moreover, many dishes can produce carcinogenic substances after being reheated. According to relevant statistics, long-term consumption of food that has been stored in the refrigerator for extended periods can gradually increase the risk of cancer.
Misconception: Food in the Refrigerator is Very Fresh
Uneaten meals are put into the refrigerator, freshly bought fruits and vegetables are all stuffed into it, including foods that need to be frozen and cold drinks. Food taken straight from the refrigerator has a cool chill... Xiao Wang loves refrigerated food. She believes that refrigeration makes food fresh, so she eats it with confidence. When Xiao Wang was in college, her dorm didn't have a refrigerator, and the fruit she bought often went bad. She also dared not buy large bottles of milk or drinking water. Later, when looking for a job and a place to live, she insisted that her housing must come with a refrigerator. Now, only by eating food from the refrigerator does Xiao Wang feel a sense of security. "I don't eat the fruit I just bought right away; I have to refrigerate it for a while before eating it."
Refrigerators can extend the shelf life of food, making them an indispensable part of life. But is food taken from the refrigerator always fresh? The use of refrigerators has increased the likelihood of eating leftover and reheated meals, leading to a high incidence of stomach cancer. More and more cases of stomach cancer are being diagnosed in people in their 30s and 40s, which is closely related to unhealthy lifestyles.
Reason 1: Nitrates are the Main Culprit of Stomach Cancer
In an era before refrigerators were common in every household, people often used pickling or smoking methods to extend the shelf life of food. These foods contain large amounts of nitrates and nitrites, which can react with protein breakdown products in the stomach to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. As the dangers of preserved foods became known, and with the widespread use of refrigerators, people generally believe that the current diet is healthier. Little do they know that nitrates, which pose a threat to stomach health, have been hidden in our food all along.
It is understood that both vegetables and meat contain nitrates, with vegetables having a higher content. Under the action of bacterial enzymes, nitrates are converted into nitrites, and this conversion increases with storage time and higher temperatures. Refrigeration only slows down the rate of nitrite formation. When leftovers are placed in the refrigerator, nitrites react slowly in the low-temperature environment. Furthermore, because a refrigerator is an enclosed space, it can contaminate other foods. When you eat this food taken from the refrigerator, the nitrites that have already formed will act on the stomach, creating carcinogenic substances.
Reason 2: The Refrigerator Accelerates Bacterial Growth
A refrigerator is not a safe box. In the enclosed space of a refrigerator, the reproduction rate of many bacteria is even faster. Leftovers stored in the refrigerator are not only preserved but also contaminated. Moreover, many dishes can easily produce carcinogenic substances after being reheated. The ownership rate of refrigerators is significantly higher in younger people's families. Due to the generally accelerated pace of work and life, people rely on refrigerators all year round. Long-term consumption of food stored in the refrigerator for long periods increases the chance of bacteria invading the stomach.
Warm Tips:
Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, which can inhibit the combination of nitrates and amines. Over time, vitamin C is gradually lost. Therefore, when buying food, buy smaller quantities each time, especially for fresh items, and be sure to eat them as soon as possible. Try not to store them in the refrigerator for extended periods. Additionally, it is necessary to control salt intake in your diet and adopt a low-salt diet.
The trend of stomach cancer affecting younger people may also be related to smokers and drinkers. In addition to paying attention to a light diet, eating less pickled and smoked food, and eating more fresh vegetables, early screening is also a good way to prevent and treat stomach cancer. The 5-year survival rate for early-stage stomach cancer can reach 95%.
Knowledge Link
Treat Gastric Diseases Early to Prevent Worsening
Medical surveys have found that among people aged 20-40, only 47% have relatively normal gastric mucosa. Many people don't take stomach diseases seriously because they don't know that some stomach conditions can become cancerous. As the pace of life accelerates, stomach diseases have become a major threat to human health. Many people have minor stomach problems, such as gastritis. Patients should undergo regular check-ups while actively treating their condition to prevent unforeseen complications.
Gastric Ulcer: About 5% of gastric ulcers can become cancerous. Therefore, seek medical attention promptly if you experience the following: the original pattern of stomach pain disappears or worsens, drug treatment becomes less effective, unexplained weight loss,持续 (persistent) positive occult blood test.
Gastric Polyps: This is a benign tumor of the stomach, but a small number can become cancerous, especially when there are multiple polyps or polyps larger than 2 cm. Therefore, once a gastric polyp is discovered, it should be surgically removed immediately to prevent future problems. If it cannot be removed for some reason, immediate examination is necessary if symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or bleeding occur.