Stomach cancer risks linked to specific morning dietary habits

Medical experts are warning about dietary habits that increase the risk of stomach cancer, noting that global statistics from GLOBOCAN report over 1.12 million new cases and approximately 768,000 deaths annually. In Vietnam, stomach cancer is among the four most common malignant diseases and is increasingly affecting younger populations aged 20 to 30.

Dr. Ton Canh Phong from Nanjing University Fourth Affiliated Hospital warns that because gastric acid is most concentrated in the morning, consuming highly irritating or chemically laden foods on an empty stomach can directly erode the protective mucosal layer.

Specifically, Dr. Trieu Vi Vi from the Fudan University Cancer Center advises against consuming leftover food kept overnight. Reheating old vegetables or meat can introduce nitrosamines—toxins produced by decomposing bacteria that can cause DNA mutations in mucosal cells. Consuming these substances on an empty stomach may accelerate toxin absorption and lead to pre-cancerous lesions.