It is possible to find a link between different types of cancer and the foods and beverages you eat.
Red meat is linked to higher colorectal Cancer Risk, and alcoholic drinks have been linked to a greater risk of breast Cancer. However, cauliflower may help lower your chances of developing liver cancer.
New research has shown that more fish intake is associated with a higher chance of Melanoma.
Researchers compared data on fish intake and melanoma incidence among nearly 500,000 participants of the NIH/AARP Diet and Health Study, which was published in the journal. Researchers found that the higher the fish intake, the higher the risk of malignant and in situ melanoma (also known as stage 0 melanoma). This was true for both tuna and non-fried fish. However, it was surprising that fried fish had a lower chance of malignant Melanoma.
However, this study should not be recommended to cut out fish from your diet. Experts say that the relationships between food and health can be complex and that one correlation should not be the deciding factor.
This article does not say that fish consumption is a cause of cancer. It’s saying that higher fish consumption is associated with cancer,” Sydney Greene is RDN and a member of the Eat This! Medical board. It is also important to mention that some of these individuals engaged in known cancer-causing behaviour, such as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
She also pointed out that some important metrics were not considered when assessing participants’ melanoma risks. These included whether a person has had severe sunburns in the past or how many moles they have. For example, one can imagine someone who eats a lot more fish as they live near water and another person who spends a lot of time in the direct sun.
Furthermore, it is difficult to simplify the risk and benefit calculations for any food. Greene noted, for example, that omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish can reduce chronic inflammation. However, eating high levels of mercury in fish could increase your risk of developing cancer.
She said that food categories are complex, and it was impossible to determine which food category should be avoided or not.
Julie Upton, MS, RD., also a member of our medical expert board, notes that the study’s key finding “appears very counter-intuitive.” She said that more research supports the health benefits of eating fish.
Upton stated that more research was needed because many studies have shown that eating fish can improve your overall health and well-being. For example, the Mediterranean diet is a healthy standard, and seafood is the main protein source.