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Common ingredients in processed meat like salami, bologna, hot dogs and ham may increase the risk of bladder cancer. Nitrates and nitrites are frequently used to preserve lunch meats and hot dogs. They also add the familiar pink color and add to the flavor of such foods. But researchers have raised concerns about the safety of such compounds for decades. A joint National Institutes of Health-AARP study of more than 300,000 older Americans lasted seven years. The investigators found that those people who consumed the most dietary nitrite in processed red meat were 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than those who ate the least. Beef, chicken and turkey were not linked to a higher risk of bladder cancer.
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I have read about these possible problems for several years and usually avoid these products. I started finding organic "uncured" products at health food stores recently and have purchased them several times for a quick meal. I found information somewhere that even these products have high levels of nitrates or nitrites from the celery juice used in processing. Some were found to have higher levels that traditional products. I wish I could remember where I saw that information, and what are the real safety concerns of these products.
Celery juice? I never knew that celery (or its juice) was high in nitrates and it wasn't good to eat or drink? Any one know something about this?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: CELERY, LIKE SPINACH, BEETS AND OTHER DELICIOUS AND HEALTHFUL VEGETABLES, DOES CONTAIN NITRATES. SO FAR NO ONE HAS SUGGESTED THAT EATING THESE FOODS WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF BLADDER CANCER. BUT THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THEY MAY HELP LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE OF THEIR EFFECT ON NITROUS OXIDE, NO, A NATURAL BLOOD VESSEL RELAXANT.
My husband had several mini-seizures which we finally realized were happening after eating corned beef. Several times, the episodes were severe enough for an emergency room visit. Eventually he had a grand mal seizure and one family doctor suggested that it may have been caused by the nitrates in the corned beef. Your article was very helpful. Thank you.