Mice fed processed meat containing nitrites developed 75% more tumors than those fed processed meat without nitrite in an animal study.

“It really came down to nitrites.”

“The animals fed processed meat without nitrites formed the same number of tumors as the control-fed chow group.”

“A new animal study found that mice fed processed meat containing nitrites developed 75% more tumors than those fed processed meat without nitrite.”

“But this new study suggests that the high levels of nitrites in processed meats may increase cancer rather than the processed meat itself.”