It was announced last week that a daily bacon roll could lead to a 19% increase in pancreatic cancer. The findings came from a meta study of 11 other studies of 6000 pancreatic cancer patients. They found a link of an increase in 29% or more in men who consumed larger quantities of red meat. The link with women was not there, so this area was called into doubt. On the subject of the suspect ingredient in bacon, nitrates, the researchers said that a link was “biologically plausible”. This was their opinion as it was a powerful carcinogen in lab animals, the human link not being proven. When analysts have commented on the findings of this paper with terms such as “maybe” “suggests”, it does call into doubt whether we really know yet?
Pancreatic cancer has been linked to risk factors such as diets with high fat or high sugar, low vegetable intake, low fruit intake and a generally sedentary lifestyle. These are risk factors that indicate an increase in occurances rather than absolutes as no-one is immune to any cancer in reality.
If we took something like the humble cup of coffee, what have we been told about it? Caffeine can increase your risk of cardiac arrest, the sugar is bad for you, the artificial sweetener will give you cancer and milk contains bad fats. Then on the flipside we hear that the caffeine is actually a preventative. Amazing how science is not well errm … exact.
Do you remember all the good news about the healthy properties of red wine? It turns out that one of the main voices behind the research had faked much of his evidence:
“After a three-year investigation, the university [of Connecticut] concluded that Dipak Das, a professor of surgery and head of the university’s cardiovascular research centre, “is guilty of 145 counts of fabrication and falsification of data.” “
The Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, red wine, fruit, veg and of course preserved meats. Most things in moderation it seems are OK, but over consumption has its risks. A healthier breakfast of bacon, poached eggs, wholemeal toast, real sausages and grilled tomato has a balance to it, but not everyday. Grill the bacon rather than frying it, don’t let it burn and trim away the fat. An alternative is get more familiar with the produce you use. Read the labels and find out what the various ingredients are there for. Not all bacon is created equal.
