Spooky Food for Halloween

By Dr. Sean M. Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, CNPT, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, Cert-DN

As we approach Halloween and the trick-or-treaters hit the street, we as physical therapists (PTs) and scientists need to be aware of a common food additive that can cause cancer. I know you're probably thinking this is another article that's bashing processed foods, but you might be surprised to learn that this food additive is in a lot of our food products, not just candy. Today the Center for Science in Public Interest (CSPI), along with a list of food and children watchdog groups, filed a petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban Red. 3. 

This particular food dye, known for its unique red color, is used extensively in candies that are distributed on Halloween. Children consume a vast majority of this Halloween candy, which puts them at risk for cancer. Specifically, it has been known since the 1960s that Red 3 can cause cancer, particularly of the thyroid...

A California judge ruled that some stores must label coffee as potential cancer-causing because it contains a compound known as acrylamide (https://www.yahoo.com/news/apnewsbreak-california-judge-coffee-needs-212748202.html).

The unfortunate reality in this situation is that the defendants of the case, the coffee industry, did not have an opportunity to really express the potential health benefits of coffee. Research shows that coffee is a strong antioxidant, reducing the risk of some neurological decline and Parkinson's, as well as promoting GI motility, which may reduce the risk of gut cancer. Large epidemiology studies show that coffee may even reduce the risk of death by roughly 6-15%, with consumption up to 6 cups per day.

As such, does coffee really cause cancer from acrylamide?

Very unlikely. If there is any industry the California government and lawyers should be attacking it would be the potato chip and French fry manufacturers. Potato chips and french fries have the...