Be Aware! Carcinogens Entering Through the Mouth
Introduction: Many diseases are caused by improper diet, and some carcinogens enter our bodies in the same way. Therefore, be vigilant about carcinogens that enter through the mouth. Below is a list of 11 common diet-related carcinogens to be aware of!
1. The rotten part of fruit:
After fruit rots, microorganisms produce various harmful substances during their metabolism, especially with accelerated fungal growth. Some fungi are carcinogenic and can spread from the rotten part to the unrotten part through the fruit juice. Therefore, even if the rotten part is removed, the remaining fruit should not be eaten.
2. Moldy rice, peanuts, and corn:
These contain aflatoxin, which is currently recognized worldwide as a strong carcinogen that can easily cause liver and esophageal cancer. Some people think that washing it several times or high-temperature disinfection can remove the toxic substances, but in fact, once aflatoxin contaminates food, it is very difficult to completely remove.
3. Rotten cabbage:
Both rotten and improperly pickled cabbage contain carcinogenic nitrites.
4. Barbecued food:
All barbecued foods are prone to a substance with strong carcinogenic ability—benzopyrene, which is the same substance produced when oil is reused in fried foods.
5. Burnt fish and meat:
The incomplete combustion of fat in fish and meat produces a large amount of V-amino methyl derivatives, which is a carcinogen whose strength exceeds that of aflatoxin.
6. Tea scale:
Tea scale contains harmful metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic, as well as some carcinogens such as nitrites, which can lead to lesions in the kidneys, liver, stomach, and intestines.
7. Monosodium glutamate in alkaline foods:
When monosodium glutamate meets alkaline foods, it becomes disodium glutamate, losing its umami flavor; when heated to 120°C, it becomes the carcinogenic sodium pyroglutamate. Therefore, it is not advisable to add monosodium glutamate in foods containing soda or alkali; when making soups and dishes, monosodium glutamate should be added before turning off the heat to avoid long-term simmering.
8. Fruits wiped with toilet paper or towels:
Many types of toilet paper are not thoroughly disinfected and carry Escherichia coli, pathogenic pyogenic bacteria, fungi, hepatitis B virus, etc., which can affect health.
9. Food wrapped in newspaper:
Printing ink contains a toxic substance called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), whose chemical structure is similar to that of pesticides. If food is wrapped in newspaper, it will seep into the food and then enter the human body. When the storage of PCBs in the human body reaches 0.5 to 2 grams, it can cause poisoning. Mild symptoms include swollen eyelids, sweaty palms, and a red rash all over the body; severe symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abnormal liver function, muscle aches, persistent coughing, and even death.
10. Paint on chopsticks:
The use of painted chopsticks is still very common now, but many people don't know that these paints contain chemical substances such as lead and benzene, which are often ingested into our bodies as the paint peels off, causing certain health hazards.
11. Toxic substances on tablecloths:
Many restaurants use thin plastic tablecloths made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which contain toxic free radicals that can enter the body through tableware and food, leading to chronic poisoning. Therefore, when dining out, do not place chopsticks directly on a table covered with plastic film.