Research has shown that foods high in salt can be a significant factor for developing

Research has shown that foods high in salt can be a significant factor for developing gastric cancer. Salt can damage the lining of the stomach and cause lesions, which are areas of body tissues that have been damaged. If left to develop, this reaction can cause stomach cancer. High blood pressure can also be caused by having too much salt in the diet.

While you may not be adding too much salt in the food you cook, most of the salt we consume comes from the packaged and take-away foods such as pizza, pies, sauces, bread and breakfast cereals. It is worth noting that a food can still be high in salt and not aste salty.

Refined sugar is a processed form of the natural sugar extracted from foods such as cane, sugar beets, and corn. The processed nature of refined sugar can cause cancer cells to metabolise in the body. Refined sugar may also increase an individual’s risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

"There’s no good evidence that refined sugar or other types of sugar cause cancer," says Cancer Research UK. Nonetheless, "too much sugar in our diets can make it harder to keep a healthy weight", warns the charity.

Another worrisome ingredient is processed white flour, which is found in pastries, breads, and other everyday groceries. Flour is bleached with chlorine gas, which is a chemical used to make the flour whiter.

Processed white flour raises both insulin and blood sugar levels due to its higher glycaemic rate. It is easier for cancer tumours to grow in the body if the person’s blood sugar levels are higher. Increase in blood sugar levels leads to insulin resistance, which can raise your risk of colon cancer—as well as other cancers like kidney cancer.