Study Uncovers A Link Between Processed Meat & Colorectal Cancer
A new study from scientists at Queens University, Belfast has uncovered a link between processed meat and colorectal cancer.
The study explored a link between eating processed meat and colorectal cancer, chemicals used in processed meats. The research found that the nitrates used in the curing process can release chemicals which increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, as reported by Digital Journal.
Digital Journal explained that the study uncovered a “direct link between nitrates used to produce bacon and dangerous chemicals called nitrosamines.”
The nitrosamines have been previously linked to other diseases including gastric and esophageal cancer, diabetes, fatty liver disease, Parkinson’s disease, obesity, and Alzheimer’s, in other studies.
The curing of these processed meats is intended to slow down the rate of spoilage, with one method of doing this being to add nitrates or nitrites to the food.
Digital Journal also commented that these additives have been confirmed as sources of N-nitroso compounds, which are known carcinogens.
Professor Chris Elliott, the lead researcher of the study, said that this new research has shown there is a direct link between the nitrates and the formation of nitrosamines, which means there could be a direct link between processed meat and colorectal cancer.
He concluded the study by stating: “This means that when people consume bacon – which is currently cured with nitrites in the UK – they could be increasing their risk of contracting cancer.”
There is a growing amount of research and evidence linking meats to different types of cancer, and this study linking processed meat to colorectal cancer just adds to the growing pile of reasons people should cut down their intake of meat and other animal products.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has also previously reported the same verdict regarding the increased risk of developing cancer from meats. The organization suggested for every 50g of processed meat consumed on any given day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by roughly 18%.
Professor Elliott noted that it would be beneficial for people to cut down their intake of additives, especially from processed meats stating “It is estimated that more than 50 percent of bowel cancer cases are preventable and lifestyle changes such as improved diet could help.”
With this new link between processed meat and colorectal cancer will you be encouraging more people to cut back on their consumption of animal products? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: iMedPubJournals.com
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Linked To IBS?
