Lung cancer is a highly feared disease and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The main cause of lung cancer is smoking, which increases the risk by over 10 times compared to non-smokers. Other factors such as age, air pollution, and obesity also contribute to the risk.
Surprisingly, there might be a link between diet and lung cancer.
A study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention explored the association between lung cancer and high glycemic index (GI) foods. The study included 1,905 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and 2,413 healthy participants. The results showed that higher GI was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly in non-smokers and individuals with less than 12 years of education.
Other studies have also found a link between GI and the risk of other cancers, such as prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer.
High GI foods are those that cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, such as sugary desserts, drinks, and refined carbohydrates.
To reduce the risk, it is recommended to combine high GI foods with low GI foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and lean meats. It's important to note that this doesn't mean eliminating staple foods entirely, but rather making healthier choices to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.