Dietitian Warns 20 Billion Hot Dogs a Year Carry Cancer, Heart Risks

1 articles · Updated · WSLS 10 · Jul 10

Kristin Kirkpatrick of Cleveland Clinic said hot dogs should be an occasional food, citing strong research linking them to digestive-tract cancers including colorectal and stomach cancer.
She said the processed meat may also raise cardiovascular-disease risk and overall mortality, while many hot dogs are high in sodium and additives.
For people who still want one, Kirkpatrick advised choosing products with the fewest ingredients, preferably all-beef, and using a whole-grain bun.
She also urged balancing the meal with less-processed sides such as watermelon and beans, warning that turkey and plant-based hot dogs can still be heavily processed and salty.