Posted on 08/14/2006 3:32:06 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Everyone knows hot dogs aren't exactly healthy for you, but in a new study chemists find they may contain DNA-mutating compounds that might boost one's risk for cancer.
Scientists note there is an up to 240-fold variation in levels of these chemicals across different brands.
"One could try and find out what the difference in manufacturing techniques are between the brands, and if it's decided these things are a hazard, one could change the manufacturing methods," researcher Sidney Mirvish, a chemist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, told LiveScience.
Mirvish and his colleagues examined hot dogs because past research had linked them with colon cancer. Hot dogs are preserved with sodium nitrite, which can help form chemicals known as N-nitroso compounds, most of which cause cancer in lab animals.
Extracts from hot dogs bought from the supermarket, when mixed with nitrites, resulted in what appeared to be these DNA-mutating compounds. When added to Salmonella bacteria, hot dog extracts treated with nitrites doubled to quadrupled their normal DNA mutation levels. Triggering DNA mutations in the gut might boost the risk for colon cancer, the researchers explained.
"I won't say you shouldn't eat hot dogs," Mirvish said. Future research will feed hot dog meat to mice to see if they develop colon cancer or precancerous conditions, he explained.
James Hodges, president of the American Meat Institute Foundation in Washington, noted this study is "a preliminary report that the author concedes requires further investigation. The carcinogenic risk to humans of the compounds studied has not been determined."
The possible hazard presented here is not just limited to hot dogs. Salted dried fish and seasonings such as soy sauce may contain similar levels of these chemicals, Mirvish said.
Mirvish and his colleagues reported their findings in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
hmmmm..
I had hot dogs for lunch.. I feel ill.
On the other hand a 'Nathans' or a 'Hebrew National' is a good sausage that just happens to share a name with the ground up 'lips and ....'.
Counteract the ill effects of the hot dog with chili and onions. Worked for me at lunch today.
Yup, the chili and onions will "burn" the cancer out. I also recommend washing it down with a diet soda to negate any excess calories consumed with those condiments....;^)
Eyelids, nostrils and lips....Mmmmmmm!
Ah! Finally an engine for Darwinism!
My all time favorite food is hot dogs.
I may opt for a beer to counteract the ill effects... got to do a chore or two first, and the Vikings and Raiders have an exhibition nfl game tonight.. ;-)
some friends of ours have two pugs that look just like the two on the elft.. lol, minus the buns, they do get adorned in holiday gear and such..
I think if this were true, we'd all be dead by now.
I grew up in Minnesota and remember we'd get a big bag of Ambassador dogs,, grilled or boiled for picnics , they were delicious.
I also remember seeing sausages and dogs made at a meat locker as a kid,, quite the sight as the casings get packed and spun full of goodies ,, not a lot of bad stuff put in them in those days.. they were consumed pretty quickly out of the butcher shop bins
The food police with another scare?
Yup. Heck, I did pretty good considering they have been a staple all my life,, course I finally had one of them reverse gut checks not too long ago and had a few polyps, not sure how much of an effect that dogs had on me, but.. I'm still kicking and eating 'em.
Now a good grilled brat, on the other hand, washed down with the proper beer...
I down at least 6 a month. And the ones with cheese already inside, mmmm don't get me started.
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