If you're avoiding refined carbs, you probably already know that you should be. Whether it's because you fear thier effect on glycogen stores and subsequent weight gain, and/or if is more for the purpose of merely trying to eat healthier, avoiding starches such as white bread, rice, and simple sugars such as sweets and juices is a smart move.

New evidence has surfaced connecting excessive refined carb consumption with an increased risk of kidney cancer. According to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, when the diets of 767 kidney cancer patients and 1,534 healthy people were compared, it was discovered that patients who ate the most white bread (7 ounces or more daily) were almost twice as likely to have kidney cancer than those who ate 3.5 ounces or less.

Moreover, people who ate 2 or more cups of foods containing refined carbs were one-third more likely to have kidney cancer than those who ate half that much.

Though I doubt Bill Nye the Science Guy will be talking about this any time soon, there is scientific evidence suggesting that drinking moderate amounts of beer and wine can reduce your risk of developing kidney cancer.

A British Journal of Cancer study revealed that people who drank more than two glasses of wine or two bottles of beer per week were 30 to 40 percent less likely to develop renal cell cancer than people who abstained from boozing entirely.

This could be for two reasons: 1) Past studies have shown that having one drink per day can improve insulin sensitivity. This, in turn, lowers the risk of diabetes and obesity, both of which have been linked to a higher risk of kidney cancer; and 2) Antioxidants found in grape skins and yeast may help stave off this form of cancer.

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