Avoid Sausages, Salami, and Kababs – Why Processed Meat Is Bad?

Are you in love with meat? Undoubtedly, meat is one of the best protein sources, delivering a punch of nutrients such as iodine, iron, and zinc, along with a bouquet of B vitamins. However, as we revel in the succulence of sausages, the savoury notes of salamis, and the sizzle of kebabs, it is crucial to pause and consider the implications of processed meat on our health. Processed meat implies meat preserved through smoking, curing, salting, or with added preservatives, including ham, sausage, bacon, deli meats, hot dogs, jerky, pepperoni, and sauces. So, what do we do? Should we avoid having processed meat? Let us read about it in this blog from dietician Avni.

Why processed meat is bad for our health? Leading weight loss expert, nutritionist and dietician, Avni Kaul, explains:

Presence of Nitrates, Nitrites and Nitrosamines

Chemicals like nitrites and nitrates are used in processed meats to keep them fresh and prevent bacteria growth. These chemicals react with your body and can damage DNA, raising the risk of bowel cancer. Nitrites can turn into harmful compounds called nitrosamines when cooked with proteins at high temperatures, which are known to cause cancer. Sodium nitrite is added to processed meats to preserve color, improve flavor, and prevent bacteria growth. While nitrate, found in vegetables, can be beneficial, nitrites in processed meats are linked to cancer risk due to nitrosamine formation.

Chemical Haem can result in bowel cancer

Consumption of red and processed meat has been linked to an increased risk of large bowel cancer. Research indicates that haem, present in red meat, stimulates the production of N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) in the human intestine. When haem is broken down in the gut, these NOCs are formed, leading to damage in the bowel lining and a heightened risk of bowel cancer. The same harmful chemicals are also produced during the digestion of processed meat, which primarily consists of red meat..........

Read here - https://nutriactivania.com/avoid-eating-processed-kababs-sausage-salami/