Nitrites: Getting Rid of Cancer Causing Chemicals in Your Diet

Nitrites: Getting Rid of Cancer Causing Chemicals in Your Diet
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Processed Meats Cause Cancer

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, processed meats are “too dangerous for human consumption”. This declaration comes after 7,000 studies were conducted focusing on the link between diet and cancer. Processed meats are typically produced using a chemical known as sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite is used as a colorant and preservative in foods like hot dogs, lunch meats, pepperoni, sausage, and bacon, and other processed meats. In 2005, a study conducted by the University of Hawaii concluded that nitrites in meat increase the risk of colorectal cancer by a whopping 67%.

A study by J. Peters was conducted to uncover the association between certain foods and the risk of childhood leukemia. The study found that children who ate more than 12 hot dogs per month had 9 times the risk of developing childhood leukemia. An increased risk was also noted in children whose fathers consumed 12 or more hot dogs per month. Another study done in Denver, Colorado by researchers Sarusua and Savitz, found that children whose mothers ate one or more hot dogs per week during pregnancy had twice the risk of developing a brain tumor. Likewise, kids who ate one or more hot dog per week had an increased chance of developing tumors of the brain.

Food To Avoid

Avoid foods that contain sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, or monosodium glutamate. Here is a list of foods that usually contain one or more of these chemicals.

1. Hot dogs

2. Deli lunch meats

3. Pepperoni

4. Beef Jerky

5. Sausage

6. Bacon

7. Frozen meals containing meats

8. Canned meats, like Spam, Treet, or Potted Meat

Nitrite Free Hot Dogs

Before you force your child to swear off those hot dogs, take heart. There are some all natural, nitrite free hot dogs on the market. Many are only available at health food stores or natural food stores. Oscar Meyer All Natural Uncured All Beef Franks are an exception. They are available in grocery stores nationwide, and have no sodium nitrites. So there’s no need to totally ban hot dogs from your child’s diet, just make sure to buy products that contain no nitrites, nitrates, or monosodium glutamate. Another great nitrite free product to try is Coleman Natural Beef Hot Dogs.

Other Meat Alternatives

Most lunch meats contain nitrites, but fresh meats typically do not have added preservatives. Therefore, replace your deli meats with fresh meats, such as chicken or turkey breasts that are roasted fresh, not smoked or processed. Fresh fish sandwiches are also an option. Since pepperoni contains nitrites, look for other pizza toppers that are nitrite free. Vegetable pizzas, cheese pizzas, or pizza topped with freshly cooked ground beef can be a good alternative to the pepperoni pizza classic. Nitrite free bacon is also available. North Country Smokehouse has a slow cured applewood and cherry smoked bacon that is free of nitrites. For a nitrite free sausage, look for Berkshire Sausage.

The best way to make sure you have removed nitrites from your diet is to simply check all nutrition labels, especially when purchasing meat products. Look for natural, nitrite free meats, and opt for fresh meats instead of processed meats. Also check to be sure the product contains no sodium nitrate or monosodium glutamate (MSG). These simple steps will go a long way in removing these carcinogens from you and your family’s diet.

Resources

1. Total Health Breakthroughs: ttp://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2007/12/processed-meats-declared-too-dangerous-for-human-consumption/

2. Organic Consumers Association: https://www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/processedmeat050305.cfm

3. Cancer PreventionCoalition: https://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/food/hotdogs.htm

4. Coleman’s Natural Beef Hot Dogs: https://www.colemannatural.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&category_id=2&article=874&Itemid=9