Why Processed Foods Increase Cancer Risks

Processed food’s carbohydrates and fats increase your body’s production of cancerous Methylglyoxal.

Written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, and Retired Pharmacist

Processed foods are a staple in many diets, but have hidden dangers that could significantly impact your health. One such danger is methylglyoxal, a by-product of glucose metabolism. Recent research has uncovered a concerning link between methylglyoxal and an increased risk of cancer.

What is Methylglyoxal?

Methylglyoxal is produced when our cells break down glucose to release energy. While it's a natural by-product, excessive levels can be harmful. Diets high in processed foods, often rich in carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, can increase methylglyoxal production.

The Cancer Connection Studies have shown that high levels of methylglyoxal can inhibit genes that protect against cancer, such as BRCA2. This inhibition can damage DNA and increase the likelihood of cancer development.

The typical Western diet, which includes a high intake of processed foods, red meats, added sugars, and refined grains, may elevate methylglyoxal levels and pose a risk for various diseases, including cancer.

Your body produces a group of compounds known as AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products) from methylglyoxal. AGEs contribute to various health issues, including diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerosis. They are linked to increased oxidative damage and inflammation, which are factors in cancer development, growth, and metastasis.

At the time of this blog publication, the following cancers are impacted by methylglyoxal:

• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Endometrial 
• Glioblastoma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Please check back as I add to this list…

Foods That Increase Methylglyoxal Production

Certain foods can predispose the body to increased methylglyoxal production. These include:

• Processed Foods: High in refined sugars and unhealthy fats.
• Refined Grains: Such as white bread and pastries.
• Added Sugars: Found in sugary drinks and snacks.

Learn How to Select a Quality Dietary Supplement

Lowering Methylglyoxal and Reducing Your Risk of Cancer

Processed Foods are a Problem!™

To reduce your risk, consider limiting your intake of processed foods and opting for a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods. Incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help lower methylglyoxal levels and promote overall health. Please keep it simple. Cook at home. 

Methylglyoxal Cancer Conclusion

While more research is needed to fully understand the link between methylglyoxal and cancer, a healthy diet plays a crucial role in cancer prevention. You can take a proactive step toward reducing your cancer risk by making mindful food choices.

Supplements that Protect Against and Decrease Methylglyoxal Include*

• Berberine
• CBD (cannabidiol)
• Curcumin
• EGCG from green tea
• Fisetin
• Quercetin
• Resveratrol

I take these supplements before meals with carbohydrates.* 

Learn about ProtiSorb™ enhanced polyphenol absorption. 

Consult with your healthcare team before making changes to your health program.  

Methylglyoxal Cancer Reference Sources

Romaldi B, Scirè A, Minnelli C, et al. Overexpression of Glyoxalase 2 in Human Breast Cancer Cells: Implications for Cell Proliferation and Doxorubicin Resistance. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(20):10888. Published 2024 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/ijms252010888 https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/20/10888

Kong LR, Gupta K, Wu AJ, et al. A glycolytic metabolite bypasses "two-hit" tumor suppression by BRCA2. Cell. 2024;187(9):2269-2287.e16. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.006 https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)00255-1

Oliveira AL, de Oliveira MG, Mónica FZ, Antunes E. Methylglyoxal and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): Targets for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes-Associated Bladder Dysfunction? Biomedicines. 2024; 12(5):939. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12050939

Kim JY, Jung JH, Jung S, et al. Glyoxalase 1: Emerging biomarker and therapeutic target in cervical cancer progression. PLoS One. 2024;19(6):e0299345. Published 2024 Jun 13. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0299345 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11175447/

Zheng L, Boeren S, Liu C, et al. Proteomics-based identification of biomarkers reflecting endogenous and exogenous exposure to the advanced glycation end product precursor methylglyoxal in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;272(Pt 1):132859. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132859 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014181302403664X?via%3Dihub

Hernandez-Castillo C, Shuck SC. Diet and Obesity-Induced Methylglyoxal Production and Links to Metabolic Disease. Chem Res Toxicol. 2021;34(12):2424-2440. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00221 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00221

Memon MA, Khan RN, Riaz S, Ain QU, Ahmed M, Kumar N. Methylglyoxal and insulin resistance in berberine-treated type 2 diabetic patients [published correction appears in J Res Med Sci. 2019 Apr 02;24:28. doi: 10.4103/1735-1995.188611]. J Res Med Sci. 2018;23:110. Published 2018 Dec 28. doi:10.4103/jrms.JRMS_1078_17 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6327683/

He Y, Yang Z, Pi J, et al. EGCG attenuates the neurotoxicity of methylglyoxal via regulating MAPK and the downstream signaling pathways and inhibiting advanced glycation end products formation. Food Chem. 2022;384:132358. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132358 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0308-8146(22)00320-X

Liu H, Huo X, Wang S, Yin Z. The inhibitory effects of natural antioxidants on protein glycation as well as aggregation induced by methylglyoxal and underlying mechanisms. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2022;212:112360. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112360 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927776522000431?via%3Dihub

Zhou H, Huang X, Luo Y, Tan T. Scavenging of Methylglyoxal by the Total Flavonoids of Apocyni Veneti Folium in Mice. J Agric Food Chem. 2024;72(37):20374-20382. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01637 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01637

Narra SS, Rosanaly S, Rondeau P, et al. ApoA-I Nanoparticles as Curcumin Carriers for Cerebral Endothelial Cells: Improved Cytoprotective Effects against Methylglyoxal. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(3):347. Published 2022 Mar 13. doi:10.3390/ph15030347 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8952315/

Frandsen J, Narayanasamy P. Effect of Cannabidiol on the Neural Glyoxalase Pathway Function and Longevity of Several C. elegans Strains Including a C. elegans Alzheimer's Disease Model. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2022;13(8):1165-1177. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00667 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00667

Maher P, Dargusch R, Ehren JL, Okada S, Sharma K, Schubert D. Fisetin lowers methylglyoxal dependent protein glycation and limits the complications of diabetes. PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e21226. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021226  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3124487/

Ferrero, G., Mastrocola, R., Tarallo, S., et al., (2026). Integrative analyses of dicarbonyls and advanced glycation end-products with multiomic profiles across tissue, plasma and stool samples reveal methylglyoxal accumulation in colon cancer. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 246, 518-530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2026.01.034

Battad, A., Nunez, F., Walker, M. S., et al.,(2025). Mechanistic Link Between Glyoxalase 1 Expression and Methylglyoxal-Induced Oncogenic Stress in Prostate Cancer. BioRxiv, 2025.12.05.691672. https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.05.691672

Erdal, G. S., Isiksacan, N., Cikot, M., et al., (2025). Advanced Glycation End Products: A Promising Prognostic Indicator in Breast Cancer Patients. Breast Care. https://doi.org/10.1159/000547938

Belpomme, D., Lacomme, S., Poletti, C., Bonesso, L., Hinault-Boyer, C., Barbier, S., & Irigaray, P. (2024). Free Methylglyoxal as a Metabolic New Biomarker of Tumor Cell Proliferation in Cancers. Cancers, 16(23), 3922. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16233922 

*Supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.