According to the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) department of WHO (World Health Organization) processed meat is a level one carcinogen. Processed meats include ham, bacon, hot dogs, sausage, and deli meat. Other level one carcinogens include smoking tobacco, radium, plutonium, and formaldehyde.
All these meats have been treated in some way to either be preserved or enhance flavor. These treatments include fermenting, salting, smoking, and curing. According to the American Cancer Society Twenty-two experts from 10 countries reviewed more than 800 studies before reaching their conclusions.
The conclusions were that eating 50 grams of processed meat every day increased the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. 50 grams is equal to around 4 strips of bacon or 1 hot dog. Other conclusions show red meat increased the risk of pancreatic, prostate, and colorectal cancer by nearly 20%.
The average overall lifetime risk for getting cancer is around 5 percent. Look at it this way, if your diet contains an average of 4 strips of bacon or one hot dog your overall risk of getting cancer jumps from 5 to 6 %.
However, if you include red meat, and add just one more 50-gram portion of processed meat that 6 turns upside down, making your overall cancer risk 9%. Overall risk is calculated using averages and does not include other life factors such as the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and carcinogens found in other categories of food.
Even things as healthy as water can contain carcinogens. Sherri Mason of the State University of New York Nylon is a microplastic researcher. A study conducted by her found polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene in 93 percent of Dasani, Evian, Nestle Pure Life, and San Pellegrino water bottles. 9% may not sound like a large number but take in other factors and that number can grow substantially.
Some healthy alternatives to processed meat include fish, poultry, and beans. We recommend also filling your diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Daily exercise and drinking plenty of clean water will also reduce your risk of cancer. Green Thumb challenges you to remove all processed meat and red meat from your diet this week. For delicious recipes visit the links below. Share this with your neighbors to spread the thumbprint. Big Green Thumbs up to all.
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