Sorry, but Another Study Links Bacon to Cancer
The cost of delicious grows ever steeper as a new study connects foods like hot dogs, bacon and other processed food to an increased risk of breast cancer.
A meta-study looked at the data from 16 previous studies. Now, all these studies were observational, and that certainly is less definitive, but it’s still some compelling evidence, according to this article:
They found that high consumption of processed meat (about 25 to 30 grams a day, on average) was associated with a 9 percent increased risk for breast cancer compared to those who ate the lowest amounts (0 to 2 grams a day). The association with other red meat consumption was not significant.
One slice of bacon is roughly 12 grams, so the study considers a “high consumption” to be 2-3 slices of bacon. We know lots of people who happily have gone on high protein, low carb diets to lose weight. And these diets can be effective in the short term. However – we believe that overall health is best served by striving for a balanced diet that can be maintained for the long term over many years – with half the diet coming from fruits and vegetables.
Again, this is not the most rock-solid study; some further research needs to be done, and the scientists are not sure what may increase this cancer risk. Their leading theory is the preservatives in the meats are the likely cause.
Regardless, we tend to believe that even if the cause is unclear there is probably something to be concerned about. So both men and women should try and cut their bacon consumption down, no matter how good it tastes.
-Shane M.