New Scientist
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If you want to avoid cancer it may be time to ditch those breakfast fry-ups. A comprehensive report on the link between nutrition and cancer recommends avoiding all processed meats, including bacon and some sausages. It also advises against eating more than 6 grams of salt per day.
While a number of foods carry a cancer risk, most of them can be eaten in moderation without noticeably endangering health. However, for salted or cured meats there is no clear safe dose, says Martin Wiseman, project director of the report, which was published this week by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.
One reason for avoiding processed meats is that they often contain nitrates – preservatives that may contribute to the production of suspected carcinogens called N-nitroso compounds. Processed meats also contain high levels of salt, which is linked to stomach cancer.
