Nitrates in deli meats what is the truth?

What is the scoop on deli meats?

A 2005 University of Hawaii study found that processed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent.³Another study revealed that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent.⁴These 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: 

Why are nitrites in deli meat?

According to the North American Meat Institute (NAMI), sodium nitrite is a salt and an antioxidant that is used to cure ham, bacon and hot dogs. It also stops the growth of botulism-causing bacteria, prevents spoilage, and gives cured meats their color and flavor. Sodium nitrite also helps prevent the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes the foodborne illness listeriosis.

You may be wondering how "natural" and organic deli meats stay fresh. They use plant-based, naturally occurring nitrites, such as those found in celery, beets and sea salt. The label will likely say "No nitrates or nitrites added" and then in smaller type, "Except for those naturally occurring in sea salt and celery powder." So there you go—you're getting nitrites in traditional deli meats, as well as the better-for-you stuff.

Processed foods tend to be high in sodium. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating less than 2300mg of sodium per day. A 2-ounce serving of sliced roasted turkey breast contains between 360-590 mg of sodium. That's not so bad, but once you add two slices of bread (240mg), a schmear of mustard (125mg) and perhaps some mayo (85mg), you're looking at a sodium total of 810 to 1040 for your sammie. As long as you balance out the rest of your day with fresh produce and other foods that are low in sodium, you're fine, but if dinner is take out, you're very likely to exceed the sodium limit.

If sodium is a concern for you, look for low sodium deli meat, which has about 115mg per 2 ounce serving, or try no salt added, which only contains 35mg per serving.

List of high sodium meats with nitrates

• 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. Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:

• Always read ingredient labels. If don't know what the ingredients is, don't eat it!
• Don’t buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.
• Avoid or eat very sparingly, processed 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.