01/09/2026
Deli ham has officially been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Group 1 Carcinogen, placing it in the same evidence category as to***co, asbestos and arsenic regarding its ability to cause cancer.
🗂️Health Risks of Deli Ham:
đź“‘Cancer Risk: Consuming just 50 grams of processed meat daily (roughly two slices of deli ham) is linked to a significant increase in colorectal cancer. Newer studies also link the preservatives in ham to higher risks of breast and prostate cancer.
📑Heart Disease & Diabetes: A 2025 study in Nature Medicine found NO “safe” amount of processed meat, noting that even small daily portions are associated with higher rates of Type 2 Diabetes and Ischemic Heart Disease.
đź“‘High Sodium & Fats: Deli ham is often loaded with sodium (sometimes four times more than unprocessed pork) and saturated fats, which contribute to high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol, and stroke risk.
🗂️Why Deli Ham is Considered Harmful:
đź“‘Nitrates and Nitrites: These preservatives prevent spoilage but can convert into nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens that damage the lining of the colon.
📑Ultra-Processing: Most deli ham is “reconstituted” - mechanically separated meat ground into a paste, then molded and sliced. This process often includes industrial additives like carrageenan, maltodextrin, and corn syrup solids (all of which carry their own health risks).
What do you think about this?
AICR recommends limiting the amount of processed meat one eats- eating even small amounts regularly can increase the risk of cancer.