Duke Medicine: Do hot dogs cause cancer?

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a hot dog at the stadium, at a barbeque, or around a campfire.

But at what cost? Recent reports, including one released by the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research's Continuous Update Project, have cast a shadow on people’s enjoyment of hot dogs. Are the rumors true that hot dogs can bite back by giving you cancer?

Denise Snyder, a Duke nutrition researcher with an emphasis in cancer survivorship, says that you may want to think twice before throwing another wiener on the grill.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) reviewed thousands of studies -- and continue to review ongoing research -- that reflect a hot dog-cancer connection. Its conclusion: Processed meats, including hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats, are linked to increased colorectal cancer.

According to Snyder, it’s hard to point the finger at just one culprit -- preservatives, saturated fat, or other ingredients -- but the preservatives sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate should be avoided.