Processed Meats and
Cancer
Processed meats cause cancer?
According to a new study released by the World
Health Organisation processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham do cause
bowel cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has now
classified processed meat as "carcinogenic to humans" which also
includes tobacco and formaldehyde. Scientists say that eating as little as 50g
of processed meat a day can increase a person's risk of cancer by 18%.
What is processed meat?
Processed meat has to have been modified to
extend shelf life or change taste by smoking, curing, adding salt or
preservatives. The chemicals that are involved in the processing and high
temperature cooking (such as cooking on a BBQ) are also thought to create
carcinogenic chemicals. Meats to avoid include bacon, sausages, hot dogs,
salami, ham, corned beef, canned meat products and meat based sauces.
How can I apply this to my eating habits?
The good new is that in order to decrease the
probability of cancer you don't have to cut out meat completely! Maintaining a
healthy, well balanced diet is ideal and processed meats can be enjoyed once in
a while in moderation. If you eat lots of these kinds of meats however, you
might want to think about cutting down as the risk for cancer increases as the
amount of meat consumed does.
SJS
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