While many people are concerned about the increase in food prices, the focus should be on the increase in chemicals consumed in food. Our food went from all natural to not natural at all. Food scientists are finding various ways to alter and change foods to increase shelf life. In the process, they are decreasing our life span.
Research shows that processed meats are linked to the increase in cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), preformed 7,000 clinical studies on diet and cancer. The alarming conclusion was we should STOP EATING PROCESSED MEAT IMMEDIATELY! Then continue to avoid them the rest of our lives.
What makes our meat so bad? Nitrates. The food additive shows up in lunch meats, hot dogs, packaged hams, pepperoni, bacon, sausage, and all red meat that has been frozen. Sodium Nitrate is used as a way to keep the colors of the meat a bright red. The red color appeals to the consumer as being “fresh.”
Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results in the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the human body (source).
At some point in our lives, no matter how young or old we are, we have been affected in some way, shape, or form, by cancer. Science has helped our species survive the economic growth of the world, but in the process it may have unknowingly plagued the world with disease. The best way to combat the evolution of disease is through knowledge.
Here are some foods you and your family should be avoiding:
- Beef jerky
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Hot dogs
- Sandwich meat
- Frozen pizza with meat
- Canned soups with meat
- Frozen meals with meat
- Ravioli and meat pasta foods
- Kid’s meals containing red meat
- Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
- Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks (source).
If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970’s but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to “ban bacon.” Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection from dangerous chemicals intentionally added to foods, medicines and personal care products.
The average, middle class American will usually say that “eating healthy is too expensive.” However, places like Traders Joes and Henry’s market have made nitrate free meat more affordable and easier to find. Even if you do all your shopping at the normal grocery stores you can save your meat shopping for places that cater to nitrate free foods.
Adria Ali
Leave a Reply