One way we can help prevent cancer — in addition to not smoking — is to stop eating hot dogs and other processed meats.
In 2006, we wolfed down 1.5 billion pounds of hot dogs. Sixty-two percent of all Americans eat some form of processed pork, with the average person eating 32 pounds of it a year. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council’s 2009 survey of hot dog and sausage consumption at major league ballparks in the United States, ballparks expected to sell 21 million hot dogs this season.
But hot dogs and other processed meats increase the risk of colorectal cancer and should be avoided completely, according to a landmark report on diet and cancer risk by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund. The scientists announced that when it comes to colon cancer, there is absolutely no amount of processed meat that's safe to eat.
In fact, according to researchers, just one 50-gram serving of bacon, sausage, deli meats or other processed meat (think one hot dog) daily increases our risk of colorectal cancer, on average, by 21 percent.
Each year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Approximately 50,000 Americans are expected to die of the disease this year. Children are at particular risk as lifelong eating habits are established during childhood.
The good news is that more fresh vegetables, fruits, and low-fat meatless meals can reduce the risk of cancer. But too many Americans don’t know about the power of wise food choices. That’s why public education efforts are necessary—even if some consumers don’t relish the news that hot dogs can endanger their health.
Learn more about hot dogs and other processed meats:
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