By Samuel Medina/ south news editor
Bacon hasn’t always been too nutritious, but that has not stopped people from eating it.
Now, a new study reveals it can cause colon cancer. Still, with self-control, people shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
The World Health Organization released a report Oct. 26 revealing that processed meats can cause colon cancer. A group of 22 scientists reviewed over 800 studies on processed meats and found a strong connection linking it to the increased risk of colon cancer.
Processed meats can increase the chances for colon cancer by 18 percent by eating 50 grams of it per day per week. Processed meats such as sausage, ham, turkey, hot dogs and bacon will now be labeled as a Group 1 carcinogen, putting them in the same group as alcohol, asbestos and tobacco. Red meats also have been labeled as a probable carcinogen due to limited evidence.
Although the facts may be alarming, it doesn’t have to be the end of eating meat altogether. Some people may see this new study as a reason to give up meat, but, like most things, moderation is key. IARC director Christopher Wild said that red meats still have nutritional value and recommends limiting how much meat one consumes.
“These findings further support current public health recommendations to limit intake of meat,” he said. “At the same time, red meat has nutritional value.”
The argument between meat eaters and non-meat eaters may be on the rise due to the new evidence, but people are entitled to eat what they want. Although the fact that processed meats cause cancer is new, it re-enforces what we already know — have a balanced diet. Bacon has already been known to cause a number of diseases, so this is no surprise.
Many things can cause cancer, but, in some cases, it is all about moderation and the new evidence about processed meats should not stop people from eating what they enjoy. It should, though, remind people to be more aware of what they are eating and how much of it they consume on a daily basis.
