Most people have already heard of or read some pop-media-headline that the World Health Organization (WHO) recently published evidence that processed and red meats, bacon specifically included, may be linked to an increase in the risk of cancer. Not just an increase in raising the risk of cancer though, it was put on the same level as smoking cigarettes. Both in the news and on the internet, this report exploded to the front page and was on everyone’s lips. How could everyone’s beloved bacon be linked to cancer?
It is important to clarify what the World Health Organization actually published and to not get caught up in the hype. Processed meats are treated with a class of salt called a “nitrite”, usually used to “cure” a meat. This salt has long been suspected of being a carcinogen, but it is nearly impossible to “prove” anything in terms of health because there are so many variables at play- race, culture, area you were born, genetics, diet, lifestyle, etc. The UK Cancer Research team observed that the nitrites are converted into chemicals in the gut that damage cells in the bowel. This damage forces the body to replicate cells to make up for the damage, and this process of replication is where the increased risk of cancer comes into play because of potential errors in the DNA re-writing process.
The use of nitrites has decreased over time due to technological advancements and so has the related cancer rate. In fact, the correlation rate between the two decreasing values is extremely close, and thus the WHO can claim that there is a link. The number stated in the studies reviewed put the risk of people who eat processed meats (think deli meats, hot dogs, jerky, bacon) between 5-18% higher than those that don’t, but the baseline risk percentage isn’t very much lower. In addition, the evidence showed that eating a serving of processed meat a day presented a 20% risk increase in cancer, compared to 13% unprocessed. Additional potential carcinogenic risks are preparation methods of the meat: higher temperatures and smoking processes seem to accelerate the growth rate of carcinogenic molecules in the gut.
As far as the comparison of the meats and smoking cigarettes is concerned, it is not as simple as “smoking x cigarettes a day is as bad as having x amount of meat”. What the WHO did was simply place processed meats into the same category of danger as tobacco smoke and diesel engine exhaust, a category of molecules that “most-likely and almost-definitely” expose one to the strongest risk to cancer. Fresh red meats were placed in a category of “probably cancer-causing”
The story became sensationalized and a flurry of confusion ensued.
“How can we trust them? Were the parameters of their measurements properly assigned? How can I believe this to be true? Does the WHO have a vegan agenda? If I don’t smoke can I still eat hamburgers? What if I exercise on days I do eat red meat? Why should I care if it increases the risk, everything causes cancer nowadays.” And I can’t leave out my favorite “How can it cause cancer if it’s called ‘cured’ meat?”
These are all very common responses that I have come across in the past few days, not only through the comments sections of articles and related content or Facebook statuses, but also on fitness forums and general discussion pages sprawled across the internet. Almost every response I found questioned the integrity and hidden motives of the WHO or wanted a loophole to negate the ‘new’ information. It was refreshing to finally find small pockets of acceptance in amongst all the denial.
I think the biggest question people should be asking is, why are we so unwilling to give up something as simple as a type of food? What has happened in Western, specifically American, society to make bacon so cool? Why is it sexier for a woman to eat a hunking, hulking slab of meat than to eat whole, balanced, nutritious meals? What’s with the addiction to meat? And why all the misconceptions about other diets?
I personally think the character Ron Swanson from the popular sitcom Parks and Recreation is one of the biggest deterrents against the health food movement. He became a classic, apathetic, ‘man stereotype’, and most men who have seen the show idolize him like a father. They want to be Ron Swanson. And one of Ron Swanson’s most notable quotes is, “I don’t eat food that my food eats.” This character was created in the midst of a campaign already going on against vegetarians and vegans, and he’s just the beginning. The fitness world is changing now, and the amount of vegan power-lifters and ultra-marathoners is increasing, but for decades the information the public was given was, “You need protein to be strong. You get protein from meat. You eat meat to get strong.” Even further, in the early 90’s when obesity was on the rise companies began advertising that “protein makes you feel fuller”…and it’s still going on today. What they don’t tell you is that the average Western, and again specifically American, diet is usually over-saturated with protein. When a person does not match their protein consumption with exercise, the body converts the protein into fat. This process used to benefit the hunter-gatherer when food was more scarce, but our bodies haven’t adapted to our food-revolution.
I theorize that people get defensive when it comes to changing their food habits because food has always been one of the centerpieces of culture. Food habits are an identity; we literally break our day up in terms of when we need to eat. Breakfast is actually when you break your fast from sleeping. In the afternoon at work you’re given an hour for a lunch break. When you finish work you eat. They don’t call it a midnight snack for nothing. And what you eat tells someone so much about you. I can’t blame the more suspicious population for questioning why this seems to have all of a sudden popped up. One day meat is good for you and the next you’re told it will give you colorectal cancer. To some, vegetables just don’t taste as good, or they were never introduced to them growing up and the confusion isn’t worth it. And really, nobody wants to change their identity.
All in all, the international organization for health studies has come forward and said that beef, pork, and lamb is probably not very good for you. In this day and age there are so many alternative options when going out to eat, and an infinite amount of recipes on the internet. There is no need to stick to the traditional “meat and two veg” diet that a multitude of cultures perpetuated throughout history. So remember that when Arby’s tells you that bacon is a present pigs give you when you’ve been good, they’re trying to sell you cancer.
And then it happened. My supermarket got Daiya mac and cheese. Life. Changed. For $5 its roughly 3 servings of boxed macaroni and cheese. Way cheaper than Amy’s frozen mac. As a bonus it’s gluten free. Larger bonus is that it tastes better.
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