Believe it or not, I never liked bacon anyways....

I'm sure you have heard of cross-fit. Most likely you know someone who boasts about their WOD (work out of the day), you have tried it before, or you're someone who belongs to this cult-like fitness club. I try not to judge. However, I can recall several mornings (after night of heavy drinking) where my cross-fit enamored friends were frying up pounds of greasy, crispy, and supposedly delicious bacon. I've never claimed to be a super health nut or someone who necessarily counts calories, but I could never understand how bacon became a main component of cross-fit athlete diet. Besides, I honestly don't like bacon, or ham and hot dogs for that matter. So when the World Heath Organization released a study last Monday concluding that processed meat, such as bacon, ham and hot dogs cause cancer I can't say I was highly surprised. According to the new research eating 1.8 ounces of processed meat a day can increase your risk of cancer by 18%.

The study warns that cooking these meats using high-temperature cooking methods causes more carcinogens to be released, creating a risk for cancer. The WHO has places processed meats in the same category as tobacco, asbestos, and alcohol. However, you might not have to completely throw away your currently refrigerated  bacon and hot dogs or give up the occasional ham sandwich; like everything else in life moderation appears to be key. Those who regularly consume processed meats are a higher risk; the American Cancer Society recommends "consuming a healthy diet with an emphasis on plant foods and limiting consumption of processed meat and red meat" (NPR.org).

I wonder how (or if) this study will affect the American diet. As I mentioned, I don't think it was a big secret processed meats (and grease and fat) are unhealthy. But it has raised the discussion; while ordering lunch I overheard a woman ask the bacon be removed from her salad mixture. I think the facts from this study (due to news, social media etc) have been thrown in our faces and it will have an impact on how much processed meat we eat. I'm just glad I have another excuse to pass on the fried, salty, artery clogging pig slabs.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/10/26/451211964/bad-day-for-bacon-processed-red-meats-cause-cancer-says-who

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045%2815%2900444-1/fulltext

http://www.fastcocreate.com/3033423/how-reebok-is-wooing-the-crossfit-community-with-bacon