Thick skinned Despite my overall disgust with the study on bacon and bladder cancer I told you about the other day, the researchers did uncover one rather interesting piece of information. Apparently, people who frequently consume skinless chicken are actually at a 52 percent increased risk of bladder cancer. It seems to go against every other piece of nutritional advice out there, which recommends skinless chicken breast as a healthy source of lean protein. But researchers think that it may not be as healthy as it's made out to be, thanks to its high levels of chemicals called heterocyclic amines. These chemicals are thought to be carcinogenic and form when meat is cooked at high temperatures. Chicken cooked with the skin on has fewer of these potentially dangerous substances. Of course, true to form with its half-baked conclusion on bacon, the study didn't offer any additional insight into the chicken contradiction. Does the skin act as a protective insulating barrier from the heat, allowing the meat inside to form fewer heterocyclic amines? If so, does that mean that removing the skin after cooking the chicken would be a safer, healthier alternative? Unfortunately, they didn't take the research that far. But until we know more, it's probably a good idea to go that route. And remember to opt for organic, free-range chicken whenever possible: This news is disturbing enough on its own without adding the hormones and antibiotics injected into most commercial poultry into the mix. Sources:
"Research links bacon consumption with 59 percent increase in bladder cancer," NewsTarget (www.newstarget.com), 11/30/06
"Meat intake and bladder cancer risk in 2 prospective cohort studies," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006; 84(5): 1,177-1,183 | 
