A study was recently published in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology promoting its findings in regards to women’s higher risk for ovarian and endometrial cancers. This study states that women who eat, on average, one portion or helping of potato chips per day are raising their risks of developing these cancers by twice as much. The researchers from the University of Maastricht, Netherlands state it is the acrylamide within the fried and grilled foods, which is connected to these forms of women’s cancers. This is nothing less than a groundbreaking study that should not be missed by any woman today. There is great deal of foods containing acrylamide and learning how they can be avoided can save your life.

It was in 2002 when acrylamide was first introduced to the public as a health concern. During this time this chemical was found in a large amount of starchy foods, grilled and fried foods creating an alarm for concerned researchers. 62,000 women were involved in this research study and their cancer rates and risks were examined over a period of 11 years. Their results found that women who consumed more than 40 micrograms of acrylamide each day had twice the risk of developing ovarian or endometrial cancer than the women who consumed less or none at all. It is easier than you may think to consume this amount of acrylamide because 40 micrograms is the amount found in a single serving of potato chips and many women are consuming at least this amount on a daily basis.

The spokesperson of this research study also took the time to add that the levels of acrylamide tend to rise as the foods we eat are overcooked and/or discolored. Whether you are cooking, baking or barbequing you want to make sure your food reaches the perfect level when being cooked. When foods are overcooked, any of the natural nutrients found within will undergo a transformation into harmful chemicals and compounds like acrylamide.

When looking at the cancer statistics for women, 35,000 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer every year and 1 in 40 women with ovarian cancer. The difference between the two is endometrial cancer is very treatable when detected early but ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in women today. Understanding how to cook your foods is the key to limiting the amount of acrylamide you intake throughout the day. On the other hand when it comes to junk food like potato chips this study only provides one more reason why we should eat healthy and choose fresh fruits over chips and vegetables with our meal instead of french fries.