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WHO says processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes

theguardian.com

1–10 of 106 posts

Re: WHO says processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes

#4
post #2

But what specifically is it about processed meat that makes it more of a risk than fresh cuts of meat?

The nitrates used to preserve the meat. Although, your risk is elevated only a tiny fraction compared to say, smoking cigarettes.

Re: WHO says processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes

#5
post #3

Basically: Don't eat anything because it will give you cancer. I've been living by that rule for about 15 minutes now, but I'm starting to get hungry.

I keep seeing this ridiculous (if jokey) strawman, but it makes no sense. Processed meat has been a known risk for a long time.

Need a list? http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-p...

Re: WHO says processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes

#6
This seems pretty misleading. The WHO put these meats in the same class in terms of certainty of being a carcinogen in humans, but I don't see any claim about the rates of cancer caused by each being comparable. That is, they're convinced that it causes some nonzero amount of cancer, but how many cancers it causes is a separate issue.

Also, the picture at the top shows a cheeseburger, but ground beef is never actually mentioned in the article as an example of "processed meats". It represents an older consensus (seemingly unrelated to the current topic apart from the shared theme of "meat bad") that excessive red meat intake contributes to health problems.

Re: WHO says processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes

#9
"and if you are a hairdresser or do shift work (both class 2A), you should seek a new career."

This line at the end of the article irked me. A friend of mine who was a hair stylist for 20 years is dying of brain cancer and her doctor's are pretty sure her exposure to chemicals on a daily basis had a role in her cancer.

While I understand the comment's attempt at humor, the risk these people have with their exposure to harmful chemicals is very real.

Re: WHO says processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes

#10
post #5
post #3

Basically: Don't eat anything because it will give you cancer. I've been living by that rule for about 15 minutes now, but I'm starting to get hungry.

I keep seeing this ridiculous (if jokey) strawman, but it makes no sense. Processed meat has been a known risk for a long time. Need a list? http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-p...

I agree. It's a legitimate concern though. People are bombarded with what is healthy or not. With fad diets and such. Who do you believe?

ED: oops... I should learn to read good. It says _avoid_ processed meats. I think it would be clearer to leave stuff off the plate which we are supposed to leave off our plate.

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