Nitrates in hot dogs have had a menacing reputation since the ’70s, and doctors are constantly telling us to drink coffee in moderation. But I have excellent news to report today: hot dogs don’t seem to cause cancer, and coffee can actually protect you from it.
Let’s start with hot dogs, which are near and dear to our hearts. We eat a shocking number of hot dogs at Gizmodo. Personally I am vegetarian, but Gizmodo in general is very pro-meat. So we’re all thrilled to learn that although nitrates in hot dogs for decades have been suspected carcinogens, a new study announced at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting happening this week in Boston, shows that while the incidence of colon cancer hasn’t changed, deaths from the disease have dropped sharply since 1978, when hot dog makers added vitamin C and reduced the amount of nitrites added to hot dogs. To celebrate we’re doing the hot dog hand jive as depicted above. Join us!
Coffee is a dietary necessity that I think we all agree on. It’s one of the most glorious joys in life. And knowing that it’s associated with fewer cases of basal cell carcinoma, a non-melanoma type of skin cancer, makes it all the more wonderful. Nearly 1 million people are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year. The researchers, who also reported their findings at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting, looked at squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma as well and sadly only found the protective effect with the basal cell kind. But we’ll take it! Coffee and hot dogs all around!
[(Eurekalert, Eurekalert)]
Adam
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 9:55 AMSigh.
Articles of hot dogs or chocolate or pizza being ‘healthy’ is quite controversial.
How are we going to define ‘healthy’ doesnt give you cancer? doesnt cause you to have any health related issues when you are older?
You want to know what is healthy?
Vegetables and fruit, not some processed hot dog.
Joel
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 11:06 AMAgreed. I hate when something like this happens.
“Hey hot dogs don’t give you cancer – THEY’RE HEALTHY NOW RIGHT?”
Updated title: “Coffee can prevent cancer, although drink moderately because it’s still high in caffeine and Hot Dogs don’t cause cancer, but they’re still rubbish processed high in salt pieces of leftover animal carcass so you probably still shouldn’t eat them because they can still cause high blood pressure and heart problems and probably a host of other illnesses.”
Natalia
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 11:58 AMReally? Hot Dogs are *healthy*? Because colon cancer death rate dropped? What about higher risk of heart disease and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes? You know it can kill you as successfully as cancer can…
I think I’m quitting reading Gizmodo, but never mind, get some more coffee.
Franz
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 4:49 PMYou can get hots dogs with meat in them?