This may be a tough one for bacon lovers to swallow. The World Health Organization just came out with a new report saying that bacon, hot dogs, corned beef and other types of processed red meat significantly increase the risk for developing cancer AND all types of red meat "probably" increase the risk as well.
So, meat lovers, what does this mean? First, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines processed meat as "meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation."
The researchers found as little as 50 grams of bacon per day, or less than 2 slices, can increase risk for colorectal cancer by 18%. Eating 100 grams of red meat per day, or about half of an eight-ounce steak, can increase cancer risk by 17 percent, the researchers reporters reported.
OK, does this mean you should cut out all meat and processed meat? If so, why is it that our ancestors back to the beginning of time lived on meats long before cancer even existed. The most important thing to realize is that meats years ago are much different than meats today. Today's conventional meats are contaminated with preservatives, hormones and pesticides (from
the animal feed).
Then, when these meats become processed in the form of bacon, hot dogs, deli, etc., there are even more dangerous preservatives added such as sodium nitrite. This cancer-causing chemical is found in nearly every packaged meat product available to make meats look more fresh and palatable. Nitrites are color fixers that make older, grayer looking meats appear fresh and vibrant.
There are alternatives, thankfully. Look at your labels of processed meats and always opt for the organic nitrite-free options (turkey bacon, deli, etc.) such as Applegate Farms. Regarding eating red meat, always go for the more natural form that most closely resembles what our ancestors ate--grass-fed organic meats. These don't contain hormones, pesticides and preservatives.
Finally, keep in mind that any type of meat is acid-based. This means that when it is digested, it contributes to an acid environment in the gut. Cancer thrives in acid-based habitats. Therefore, the trick is to always eat greens with any type of meat, which are very alkaline. This will neutralize the effects of the acid-based meat. Sometimes, it can be tricky to get enough greens to have with meats . A shortcut I enjoy every day is an organic and delicious green drink, Athletic Greens.
