One of the national foods of the United States is the hot dog, which is consumed weekly in the majority of homes.
Many Americans are so accustomed to eating a specific way that they are unaware of the bad decisions they are making and how those decisions are hurting their children.
But according to a USC epidemiologist, children who consume more than 12 hot dogs each month run a nine-fold higher chance of acquiring childhood leukemia.
Many Americans are so accustomed to eating a specific way that they are unaware of the bad decisions they are making and how those decisions are hurting their children.
But according to a USC epidemiologist, children who consume more than 12 hot dogs each month run a nine-fold higher chance of acquiring childhood leukemia.
The research looked at the connection between dietary intake and leukemia risk in children in the Los Angeles County from birth to age 10 between 1980 and 1987.
It also came to the conclusion that children whose fathers consumed 12 or more hot dogs per month or more prior to conception were at a high risk of developing childhood leukemia.
This showed, in part, that parents' eating patterns both before and throughout pregnancy can make them more vulnerable to illness.
Hot dogs' nitrate content has been implicated as the root of various health issues.
It also came to the conclusion that children whose fathers consumed 12 or more hot dogs per month or more prior to conception were at a high risk of developing childhood leukemia.
This showed, in part, that parents' eating patterns both before and throughout pregnancy can make them more vulnerable to illness.
Hot dogs' nitrate content has been implicated as the root of various health issues.
“Processed red meat commonly contains sodium, nitrates, phosphates and other food additives, and smoked and grilled meats also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, all of which may contribute to the increased heart failure risk,” explains Alicja Wolk, D.M.Sc.
How To Avoid Nitrate-Filled Foods
- Minimize your consumption of processed foods and cured meat products such as hot dogs, sausage and cold cuts.
- Check labels carefully and avoid products that list sodium or potassium nitrates and nitrites. In addition to lunchmeat, some canned beans and vegetables with bacon, and even packaged seafood, may contain these added chemicals.
- Eat organic food. Synthetic nitrates and nitrites are not allowed as preservatives in organic packaged foods and meats.
- Find out if your water is tainted with nitrates or nitrites. Public drinking water utilities test for these compounds and must disclose their results. If you drink well water, your local health department can help you find out if this is a problem in your area. You can also have your water tested by a laboratory. If the chemicals are present, consider treating your water with a home water distiller, a reverse osmosis filter or an ion exchange filter to remove any fertilizer nitrates in the groundwater.
- Eat a diet high in antioxidants. Vitamin C and certain other vitamins can reduce the conversion of nitrates and nitrites to nitrosamines.
