I hate to be paranoid, but the research is out there. French fries are worse than I thought.
From drgreene.com
Preschool French Fries and Breast Cancer
The more servings of French fries that women had eaten way back when they were preschoolers, the more likely they were to develop breast cancer as adults, according to a Harvard study in the August 10, 2005 online International Journal of Cancer. We know that diet and cancer are often linked, and that changes in pre-pubertal breasts could lead to later cancer. This study was based on data spanning over forty years from the Nurses’ Health Study, which follows thousands of nurses over time. The mothers of the nurses were asked to describe their preschool. Out of 30 foods analyzed, French fries were the only food linked to higher breast cancer rates (whole milk during the preschool years was linked to a slightly lower than average rate). For every weekly serving of fries the adult risk of breast cancer rose 27 percent! Even though high fat diets have been associated with increased breast cancer risk, in this study the French fry effect is not just the fat. Other high fat foods such as hot dogs and ice cream were not associated with the increased risk. While this one study is not enough to prove that fries cause cancer, it is consistent with cancer concerns arising from the acrylamide in fries. A survey of the American diet found that for today’s toddlers, French fries are the number one ‘vegetable’ consumed. Fries are the most common side item in kids’ meals. And they are even a top seller in school cafeterias. Breast cancer strikes more than 200,000 women in the U.S. each year.
Here's more on acrylamide:
Acrylamide is in the news today!
Dr. Greene has been concerned about acrylamide since 2002 when The World Health Organization convened an emergency expert panel in to evaluate the potential health threats of acrylamide, a known toxic substance possibly created by heating starchy foods to high temperatures. The initial study in Sweden that suggested starches produce acrylamide, conducted early in 2002, was viewed with skepticism. But the formation of acrylamide in this way has now been confirmed by independent studies in England, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States.
The WHO expert panel unanimously concluded that the results of these studies are valid. They also unanimously agreed there is a major concern that the levels of acrylamide found in some potato chips and French fries could cause cancer. The amount of acrylamide varies from brand to brand, and between cooking techniques. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has commissioned testing of levels in some US brands. The acrylamide in a large order of fast food fries was at least 300 times the amount allowed by the EPA in a glass of water. One brand studied contained 600 times the EPA amount.
Besides agreeing on their cancer concern, and on the validity of the studies done so far, the panel called for urgent new research to further define the scope of the risk and the extent of the problem. In the meantime, they are urging a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, while decreasing the amounts of fried foods. They said it is too early to specify which fried foods should be avoided.
Based on the evidence currently available, I would go further. In good conscience, I could not recommend that children eat French fries, potato chips, or corn chips until further research is in, or until the brand has been tested and found to have low levels. I recognize that French fries and potato chips are favorite items on kids’ menus everywhere, but the benefits just do not justify the risks!
I would also like to see labeling on foods to indicate the presence and amount of acrylamide, so that people can make an informed choice about the risks for themselves and for their kids.
From drgreene.com
Preschool French Fries and Breast Cancer
The more servings of French fries that women had eaten way back when they were preschoolers, the more likely they were to develop breast cancer as adults, according to a Harvard study in the August 10, 2005 online International Journal of Cancer. We know that diet and cancer are often linked, and that changes in pre-pubertal breasts could lead to later cancer. This study was based on data spanning over forty years from the Nurses’ Health Study, which follows thousands of nurses over time. The mothers of the nurses were asked to describe their preschool. Out of 30 foods analyzed, French fries were the only food linked to higher breast cancer rates (whole milk during the preschool years was linked to a slightly lower than average rate). For every weekly serving of fries the adult risk of breast cancer rose 27 percent! Even though high fat diets have been associated with increased breast cancer risk, in this study the French fry effect is not just the fat. Other high fat foods such as hot dogs and ice cream were not associated with the increased risk. While this one study is not enough to prove that fries cause cancer, it is consistent with cancer concerns arising from the acrylamide in fries. A survey of the American diet found that for today’s toddlers, French fries are the number one ‘vegetable’ consumed. Fries are the most common side item in kids’ meals. And they are even a top seller in school cafeterias. Breast cancer strikes more than 200,000 women in the U.S. each year.
Here's more on acrylamide:
Acrylamide is in the news today!
Dr. Greene has been concerned about acrylamide since 2002 when The World Health Organization convened an emergency expert panel in to evaluate the potential health threats of acrylamide, a known toxic substance possibly created by heating starchy foods to high temperatures. The initial study in Sweden that suggested starches produce acrylamide, conducted early in 2002, was viewed with skepticism. But the formation of acrylamide in this way has now been confirmed by independent studies in England, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States.
The WHO expert panel unanimously concluded that the results of these studies are valid. They also unanimously agreed there is a major concern that the levels of acrylamide found in some potato chips and French fries could cause cancer. The amount of acrylamide varies from brand to brand, and between cooking techniques. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has commissioned testing of levels in some US brands. The acrylamide in a large order of fast food fries was at least 300 times the amount allowed by the EPA in a glass of water. One brand studied contained 600 times the EPA amount.
Besides agreeing on their cancer concern, and on the validity of the studies done so far, the panel called for urgent new research to further define the scope of the risk and the extent of the problem. In the meantime, they are urging a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, while decreasing the amounts of fried foods. They said it is too early to specify which fried foods should be avoided.
Based on the evidence currently available, I would go further. In good conscience, I could not recommend that children eat French fries, potato chips, or corn chips until further research is in, or until the brand has been tested and found to have low levels. I recognize that French fries and potato chips are favorite items on kids’ menus everywhere, but the benefits just do not justify the risks!
I would also like to see labeling on foods to indicate the presence and amount of acrylamide, so that people can make an informed choice about the risks for themselves and for their kids.
3 Comments:
Oooh, that is scary.
Now I am really glad that both my kids like the apple dippers at Mcdonalds! It just seems like everything will give you cancer these days.
OK That is about all I can get DK to eat is FF! I guess starving her would be good for her anyways. it is so hard to try to be healthy when they are coming up with new things that kill you everyday.
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