According to a recent study, children who eat bacon more than once per week are at a dramatically higher risk of developing leukemia. Scientists found that children who have been struck down by the disease consumed greater amounts of processed meats, including bacon, hot dogs, and ham.

The research also shows that regularly consuming cured meats, such as bacon, can raise a youngster's leukemia risk by 74 percent, compared to those who rarely or never eat them. Scientists are now concerned that preservative chemicals known as nitrites may be to blame by triggering a chain reaction that promotes the growth of cancer.

Results of the study, which was conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, suggests diet is a major factor in the development of the disease. Researchers studied 145 children and teens in southern Taiwan who had acute leukemia, and compared them with other children who did not have leukemia.

Scientists analyzed their diets, and came to the determination that those who ate bacon or other cured meats and fish more than once per week were far likely to have cancer. The study also found that children who ate lots of vegetables or soy had much lower leukemia rates, which they conclude offer "significant protective" benefits. The findings were published in the online medical journal BMC Cancer.

Researchers concluded: “We found the consumption of cured or smoked meat and fish is associated with an increased risk of acute leukemia. It can lead to the formation of carcinogenic compounds in the stomach.”

A previous study also made the link between hot dogs and leukemia, and suggested that those children who consumed an average of three hot dogs per week were 9 times more likely to develop leukemia.

According to nutritionists, the stomach can convert nitrites into chemicals known as nitrosamines, which are potentially carcinogenic. The consumption of plenty of vitamin C, however, can help prevent their formation.

So next time you do have some bacon, perhaps its best to down a glass of OJ with it.