Don’t Be a Processed-Meat-Risk Denier

The new documentary What the Health is fueling an important conversation about the health risks of hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats. Here at the Physicians Committee, we’ve been urging people to “drop the hot dog” and “ban the bacon” for years. Now, a new report—that analyzed 99 studies including data on 29 million people—adds even more evidence showing that it’s unwise to deny the dangers of processed meat.

The authors of “Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Colorectal Cancer,” the new report by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund, concluded that “consumption of processed meat is a convincing cause of colorectal cancer.” The report also found that eating high amounts of red meat and being overweight or obese can increase colorectal cancer risk.

There is good news. The report concluded that eating approximately three servings of whole grains, such as brown rice or whole-wheat bread, daily reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 17 percent.

Visit DropTheHotDog.org to learn more about the dangers of processed meats.