Think hot dogs, deli-style cold cuts, bacon, and sausage.

Processed meats have been treated with nitrites and other chemicals to improve their flavor and reduce spoilage. The problem is, the nitrites, particularly when exposed to high heat, form harmful substances known as nitrosamines, which are directly linked to some forms of cancer.

The process of smoking meats also causes another known carcinogen, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to settle on the meat’s surface.

Processed meat consumption has been associated with a heightened chance of chronic diseases like heart disease, stomach cancer, and bowel cancer.