This popular fast food has been the subject of severe criticism lately. With over seven billion consumers in the US only, hot dogs are not only the most enjoyed fast food ever, but according to new findings, it is also the foremost cancer-causing fast food leading to even four types of cancer.
Hot dogs were originally brought by German immigrants in the 19th century. Their popularity was constantly on the rise, and they gradually became a major landmark of the 21st century.
Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report indicating that all processed meats can cause cancer, including red meat as well.
Hot dogs also belong into this group. More specifically, they are made of a mixture of pork, beef and chicken. In order to cut on costs, manufacturers often use leftovers from steaks or pork chops along with ‘edible’ animal parts, such as animal feet and heads, fatty tissue and skins.
The production process involves grinding and mixing all the ingredients together to form a thick paste. Afterwards, this mixture is enhanced with an abundance of additives, including large salt quantities, corn syrup, monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates, and other chemicals, most of which have been linked to cancer.
Institutions such as the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine rank the risks of hot dogs on the same level as those of smoking.
Nitrates and nitrites are by far the most harmful additives used in hot dogs. In fact, in the process of production, these two additives bind with amines on high heat and result in nitrosamines, which have been directly related to several types of cancer, including bladder, pancreatic, colon, and stomach cancer.
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, those who consume only one hot dog a day are at 21% higher risk of colorectal cancer. The sad truth is that even organic hot dogs have nitrite, which is often even higher in content than that in traditional hot dogs.
