By Mike Adams
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness: Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives. Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hotdogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals.
They are usually manufactured with a carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite. This is used as a color fixer by meat companies to turn packaged meats a bright red color so they look fresh. Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results in the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the human body. And this leads to a sharp increase in cancer risk for those who eat them.
A 2005 University of Hawaii study found that processed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. Another study revealed that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 percent. These are alarming numbers. Note that these cancer risks do not come from eating fresh, non-processed meats. They only appear in people who regularly consume processed meat products containing sodium nitrite.
Sodium nitrite appears predominantly in red meat products (you won't find it in chicken or fish products). Here's a short list of food items to check carefully for sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate (MSG), another dangerous additive:
* Beef jerky
* Bacon
* Sausage
* Hot dogs
* Sandwich meat
* Frozen pizza with meat
* Canned soups with meat
* Frozen meals with meat
* Ravioli and meat pasta foods
* Kid's meals containing red meat
* Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
* Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks
If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970's but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon."
* Beef jerky
* Bacon
* Sausage
* Hot dogs
* Sandwich meat
* Frozen pizza with meat
* Canned soups with meat
* Frozen meals with meat
* Ravioli and meat pasta foods
* Kid's meals containing red meat
* Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
* Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks
If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970's but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon."
Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection from dangerous chemicals intentionally added to foods, medicines and personal care products.
You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:
1. Always read ingredient labels.
2. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.
3. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.
And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defense, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.
You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:
1. Always read ingredient labels.
2. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.
3. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.
And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defense, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.
[Ed. Note: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger – a leading authority on healthy living -- is on a mission: to explore, uncover and share the truth about harmful foods and beverages, prescription drugs, medical practices and the dishonest marketing practices that drive these industries. For his latest findings, click here.]
The Best Healthy Way to Thaw Frozen Foods
by: Junji Takano
In today's modern-day living, frozen foods are an indispensable convenience for consumers. Various kinds of foods can be cooked without having to go to market every day. It is a strong ally of the busy housewife!
However, when it comes to defrosting of foods kept in the freezer, then problems may arise.
Most housewives actually make mistake when defrosting foods!
Here are the common defrost procedures most people do:
1. Thawing the frozen food at room temperature.
2. Soaking the frozen food under tap water.
3. Using the defrost feature of the freezer.
4. Using microwave oven.
2. Soaking the frozen food under tap water.
3. Using the defrost feature of the freezer.
4. Using microwave oven.
Even though these are what the general public do, it will only result to an unsuccessful defrost. In fact, all the procedures mentioned above will not defrost the foods perfectly!
## Wrong Way of Defrosting Can Ruin Your Food
The problem with frozen foods come when you are about to defrost it. The majority of households defrost simply using microwave, and this is where mistakes occur. Meat will not taste good and will become like a hardened stuff. Vegetables will lose its freshness and fruits become soft and watery like it has over-ripened. Fishes will no longer look fresh and lose taste completely. Also, it is not like you can easily find technical books or explanations around about defrosting.
Sometimes, we can even find various frozen foods that have been forgotten inside the freezer for several weeks or months. In fact, I myself can find plenty of fishes, fruits, and meats, inside the freezer, given by our friends and relatives.
However, when we defrost it in several numbers of ways, the fruits will no longer be in good shape and will appear watery. Fishes and meats no longer have a good taste. I'm sure you have such experiences, too.
Improper defrosting can lessen the nutrients in the food including its taste! But if you know how to defrost foods correctly, then you will not only be able to restore the frozen food's freshness but it will look just like you have just bought it in the wet market. Nutrients will remain intact as if the food just arrived to your kitchen.
So how do you defrost foods properly? It's simple. Dip the frozen food into iced water!
Here is what you need to do:
1. Fill a plastic, aluminum, or stainless container, with enough water to soak the frozen food.
2. Add enough ice cubes in it.
3. Place the frozen food in a polybag and dip it in the iced water container. Make sure the polybag does not contain air to prevent it from floating.
2. Add enough ice cubes in it.
3. Place the frozen food in a polybag and dip it in the iced water container. Make sure the polybag does not contain air to prevent it from floating.
That's all!
In this way, you will be able to defrost foods in the most speedy and economical way. Also, its nutritional contents won't be changed as if the food is still fresh.
Now you know how simple this trick is. Just like magic, once you know the trick, you won't be amazed anymore.
Did this trick amaze you? Glad it did.
