next time you think of stuffing a big, thick, juicy wiener in your mouth, think about this: hot dogs may very well contain DNA-mutating compounds that boost one’s risk of getting cancer. granted, the phrase ‘cancer dogs’ lacks that marketing spark and zeal that would make one actually crave processed tubular meats. so what to do? well, it’s not so much the hot dogs per se, it’s those darn nitrates. nitrates are found in processed meats, like bacon, sausage, and the beloved steamy wiener (a.k.a. the hot dogs), as well as chemical fertilizers for vegetable crops. so avoid them nitrates (and probably hot dogs too). a health tip: when you do eat foods containing nitrates, have a glass of orange juice at the same time. vitamin c is known to inhibit the conversion of nitrates into nitrosamines in your stomach.