Consumers Of Processed Meat Put Themselves At Risk

Processed Meats Linked to Poor Health Outcomes

There has long been evidence that the over-consumption of processed foods is linked to an increased risk of a variety of health conditions. It has also been difficult to discern correlation from causation with regard to processed meats because there has long been an assumption that the high consumption of processed meats is most likely an indicator of poor eating habits in general.

It falls along the same lines as how vegetarians tend to live healthier, more conscientious lives than meat-eaters as a whole, but the act of vegetarianism itself may not be the prime factor in maintaining good health.

Recently, however, a huge new study has come out, which was large enough to have the ability to measure those who eat processed meat among close controls, which provided them the ability to come to stronger scientific conclusions with regard to the direct impact of processed meat on health.

This study was released in the journal BioMed Central Medicine and was published by the University of Zurich. Researchers showed that there is a causative relationship between the consumption of processed meat and the mortality risk associated with cancer and heart disease.

Huge Processed Food Health Study

In total, researchers analyzed data from over 440,000 individuals ranging from 35 to 69 years of age. They selected only patients that had never experienced a heart attack or stroke nor had cancer before they were monitored. Scientists collected data ranging from BMI and smoking habits to exercise and diet, and subjects came from ten countries in total.

In general, researchers found more evidence for what has long been known to be true. Men and women that eat a lot of processed meat are more likely to engage in other habits which inhibit health. They were more likely to smoke and eat much less produce than their healthier counterparts. Men that eat processed meat are also more likely to drink to excess.

Large Pool Increases Power of Results

Beyond providing additional evidence to these already proven hypotheses, due to the magnitude of the study, researchers were also able to more accurately perceive exactly how the consumption of processed meats impacted their health risks, even in the presence of other concurrent risk factors. When controlling for other poor health choices, there remained significant evidence that consuming processed meats alone led to enhanced mortality risk from cancer and heart disease.

The researchers concluded that if participants reduced their consumption of processed meats to less than twenty grams daily, they could reduce their risk of death by preventable illness by 3.3%. It's important to note that twenty grams are the equivalent of a small piece of sausage. Of course, over a week, you could still eat around two small portions of processed meat and experience these benefits.

Lean Meats Do Not Contribute to Health Risks

On the other hand, researchers found no significant correlation between the consumption of poultry and increased mortality risk. Lean meats had a productive and beneficial effect on health. Though processed meats such as sausages negatively impact health at relatively low protein consumption levels, there appear to be reasons to include red meat in one's diet.

Researchers found that individuals who ate negligible amounts of red meat per day or ate none at all had increased mortality risk compared to individuals who occasionally ate moderate portions of red meat such as pork and beef. Researchers hypothesize that people that don't eat enough red meat don't get enough fatty acids, Vitamin A & B, zinc, iron, and protein in their diet, which would account for the increased mortality risk.

Omnivorous Diet Healthier than Vegetarian Diet

These results leave the researchers to believe that the optimal diet for good health does involve both the consumption of lean meat and the light consumption of red meat, which means that a Vegetarian diet likely does not provide the same health benefits, at least without significant supplementation.

Processed Food Defined

It is important to note that processed meat, as defined in the study, is not meat that was simply ground and packaged but a product that was treated with salt or chemicals. One of the most common ingredients added to processed meat is sodium nitrate.

One important thing to limit the risks associated with processed meats, even if you choose to eat them regularly, is to increase your consumption of healthier proteins, such as lentils, beans, chicken, and fish. This will lead you to reduce your consumption of processed meats and will make sure that you get a full variety of nutrients associated with protein.

Processed Meats and Cancer Risk

In earlier studies, a link between cancer and processed meats had already been established, especially with respect to pancreatic cancer. This study found that individuals who consumed fifty grams of processed meat daily were more likely to experience pancreatic cancer. This risk increased with greater consumption, as those that ate 150 grams per day had a 38% percent increased risk.

Type-Two Diabetes and Processed Meats

There is also evidence that regular processed meat consumption can impact the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and use insulin effectively, which increases adult diabetes risk. The increased risk of diabetes is significant. Patients who consume processed meats weekly are estimated to have an increased risk of Adult Diabetes of around 38%.

Patients who ate a diet of processed meats over the course of seventeen years were 74% more likely to suffer from diabetes than those who maintained a vegetarian diet. Even accounting for weight, the increase in Diabetes risk is significant.

How Can I Prevent the Health Risks Associated with Processed Meats?

It appears that occasional, moderate consumption of Processed Meats is okay, but the daily consumption of these foods clearly has a strong and negative impact on health. In order to live healthier, it is vitally important to obtain most of your protein from lean meat and vegetable sources.

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