Researchers at the National University of Singapore found out how eating junk food raises the chances of getting cancer, especially in young people. They looked at a chemical called methylglyoxal, which increases when you eat sugary and fatty foods.
They found that methylglyoxal can stop a gene called BRCA2 from working properly. This gene is important for protecting the body against cancer. Dr. Ashok Venkitaraman, who led the study, explained that methylglyoxal can break down the BRCA2 protein, making it less effective at preventing tumors.
This discovery challenges a common idea in genetics that says genes like BRCA2 need to be completely switched off to raise cancer risk. Instead, even a temporary problem with the gene can make it less able to protect against cancer.
Dr. Venkitaraman also mentioned that people with faulty BRCA2 genes are especially affected by methylglyoxal. This chemical is often high in people with diabetes or prediabetes, which means unhealthy eating and uncontrolled diabetes can add up to a higher risk of cancer over time.
The study also shows how certain diets, like those high in red meat and sugar, can lower levels of helpful compounds that fight against tumor growth. Although the research was done on cells, the team says more studies are needed on people to fully understand how food affects cancer risk.
Their findings, published in the journal Cell, highlight how important diet choices are in reducing the risk of cancer, especially colorectal cancer in younger people.
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