By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Food preservatives nitrates and nitrites that help preserve processed meats such as hot dogs have been widely criticized for possibly increasing risk of breast and prostate cancer. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame have also come under fire as an additive that may raise cancer risk.
But how high is that risk?
“We should be concerned about food additives and preservatives as certain preservatives and dyes have been linked to cancer, whereas others are considered safe or have insufficient evidence to prove a link,” said Najam Ud Din, medical oncologist at St. Joseph’s Health. “Examples of carcinogens include nitrates in processed meats, which are associated with higher risk of colorectal cancer and some food dyes which are also known or suspected carcinogens.”
With so much seemingly conflicting information, multiple studies emerging and wide variety of foods available, it may pay to take a simpler approach to reducing any risk from eating additives by focusing more on simple foods with fewer ingredients.
“Given the wide variety of food additives and preservatives, a general rule of thumb would be to avoid ultra processed foods, eat more whole foods and be mindful of ingredient labels to try and reduce exposure and potential risk for cancer,” Din said.
Eat more at home, read food package labels and learn to cook from scratch. Cooking meals that come from mixes, for example, often means that additives and preservatives abound. Evaluate if it’s food that was available 150 years ago.
Kelly Springer, registered dietitian and owner of Kelly’s Choice in Skaneateles, warned about the nitrates and nitrites in processed meats.
“These preservatives in processed meats like bacon and hot dogs have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer,” she said. “There are other additives that are being studied, but more research is needed to prove the connection.”
Many lunch meat brands and processed meats such as salami and pastrami are also high in nitrates and nitrites.
Emphasizing whole foods over highly processed foods may be the safer bet.
