What will our grandchildren lecture us about being bad for our health that we currently have no idea about?

While the science does point to a possible link between processed/cured meats and colorectal cancer, the link is not “strong” as you suggest. It’s an argument cigarette smokers will make — smoking isn’t that bad, it’s on the carcinogen list but so are hot dogs!

Yeah but the link with cigarettes is orders of magnitude more significant.

Some studies of cured meats have shown a link to cancer, others haven’t. The tricky part is that it’s impossible to isolate cured meat consumption from all other dietary and lifestyle factors. It is common knowledge that these foods are high in fat and sodium and not part of a healthy diet. So the real issue may be that the cured meat eaters have a worse overall diet, or are more likely to be obese or diabetic or live a sedentary lifestyle, which are all things linked more strongly with colorectal cancer.

I’m not saying ignore nitrates. The science is far from concluded. But it’s not cigarette smoking.

/r/Futurology Thread Parent