What is Processed Meat?
Processed meat is defined as meat that has undergone methods like salting, curing, fermentation, or smoking to enhance its flavor or extend its shelf life. Typically, these meats are derived from pork or beef, but they can also include other red meats, poultry, and meat by-products which are the non meat materials collected during the slaughter process, commonly called offal. Common examples of processed meats are hot dogs, ham, bacon, sausages, corned beef, biltong, beef jerky, as well as various canned meats.
Cancer
Processed meats have been linked to increased cancer risk, particularly due to the nitrites used as preservatives. These nitrites, when ingested, can convert into harmful compounds known as nitrosamines and nitrosamides in the stomach. These compounds are known for their carcinogenic properties, potentially increasing the risk of developing various types of cancer, especially in the digestive system.
The World Health Organization categorizes processed meat as a significant risk factor for colorectal cancer, labeling it as a “Group 1 carcinogenic to humans.” This is the same category as cigarettes. Consuming even small amounts daily, such as a single hot dog or a few slices of bacon, can increase the risk of cancer by 18%. Research by both the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AIRC) supports these findings, stating the evidence linking processed meat and cancer is definitive.
