Almost every day, we hear about something new that could kill us. The 21st century has brought with it a gamut of diseases and infections that could even wipe out the human race. Of all these diseases, cancer has always been known as Big C and is a word that, without a doubt, is feared in all households.
Although an extremely common disease, very little is known about its causation. This coupled with the enormous amounts of misinformation we receive through either WhatsApp forwards or word of mouth can leave one feeling quite confused. It seems like almost every item we come across in our daily routine has the potential to cause this fatal uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells. We’re here to tell you what actually has the potential to cause cancer so you can distinguish between the false alarms and real threats! Here are 10 things that definitely don’t cause cancer:
10. Plastic Bottles
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You might have already read about the risk of using plastic bottles. While they’re definitely harmful to the environment, we’re here to inform you that they are not as dangerous as they sound. About a decade ago they were deemed to be cancer-causing because of the diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) present in them. DEHA is alleged to be a carcinogen which is a substance that promotes the formation of cancer. However, the American Cancer Society recently stated that DEHA is rarely used to make bottles. And even if they are, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says DEHA “cannot reasonably be anticipated to cause cancer” (1).
9. Microwaves
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These household items come with a lot of suspicions. Most people believe that the waves used to heat or cook the food can make food radioactive. This is not the case. Microwave ovens can only cook food. They are incapable of changing the chemical or molecular structure of the food. And while they do emit radiation, these ovens are designed in such a way that these waves are contained within the oven itself (2).
8. Wax On Apples
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For a long time now, there has been a rumor circulating that the wax on apples is carcinogenic. According to medical experts, this is not true. The wax on the fruit only extends the shelf life of the fruit and keeps it from drying out. If you still have some concerns about the wax on the fruit, washing it with warm water and a soft brush will help remove the wax on the fruit. Worry not, an apple a day still keeps the doctor away.
7. Over Boiling Water
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An age-old myth is that over boiling your water can create various chemical compounds, including carcinogens. This is not at all true. The science is simple — the more you boil your water, the more it is going to evaporate. In fact, even boiling water, allowing it to cool, and then re-boiling, it cannot cause any harm. As long as you consume the water when it has cooled down, it carries no health risks. However, consuming hot beverages and water could damage the esophageal lining causing cancer (3).
6. Bras
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We’ve all heard the myth – using a bra or an underwire bra, in particular, has been linked to causing cancer. It’s not uncommon to hear older women cautioning you against buying underwire bras or wearing them, particularly for long periods. This wrong notion comes from the belief that bras cause breast cancer by blocking the drainage of lymph fluid from the bottom of the breast so that it can’t get back into your body. However, no evidence has been found to help support this belief. Wearing a bra even at night poses no risk of developing cancer (3).
5. Antiperspirant
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This misconception is based on the belief that using an antiperspirant can block the release of toxins when you sweat, and the build-up of these toxins in the breast can cause cancer. However, this has proved to be false. Even the strongest of antiperspirants cannot block all perspiration in the armpits, and most cancer-causing substances are removed from the body by the kidneys through urination. Sweating isn’t your body’s first choice of eliminating toxins (4).
4. Power Lines
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For a while now, people have held the belief that power lines have the potential of increasing the risk of developing cancer because of the high voltage generated by the power lines. In a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute, this was disproved as the energy emitted by the power lines was found to be a low-frequency form of radiation that could not have any impact on genetic material (5).
3. Hair Dye
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An estimated 70 percent of women in the U.S. alone say they color their hair, so this misconception can be quite alarming. However, in a study conducted by the International Agency For Research On Cancer found that the chemicals used in creating hair dye cannot alone cause cancer, deeming them safe for use (6).
2. Nutella
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This one came as a shock for all chocolate lovers. Nutella is relished by children and adults alike, so you can imagine the panic when this rumor began to spread. This rumor was based on the fact that Nutella contains palm oil, which, when heated above 400 degrees celsius, could be carcinogenic. However, at no point does the product ever get so hot, so you can go ahead and satisfy that craving with little to worry about (7).
1. Artificial Sweeteners
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For decades now, artificial sweeteners have faced plenty of backlash for being carcinogenic because of an early research that found a potential link. The National Cancer Institute has, however, failed to back these findings (8). So, you can go ahead and satisfy that sweet tooth, be careful though, too much sugar intake can be harmful to health.
We believe that it is very important to do your own research before blindly believing whatever you are told. Staying ignorant can only lead to further confusion and chaos. It’s best we always consult a medical practitioner or a reliable source for information before going into panic mode. You can also share your views and concerns with us in the comments section.
The post Things You Think Cause Cancer But Don’t appeared first on STYLECRAZE.
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