Very high risk of cancer from processed meat

How much processed meat should a person eat??

Cancer is a dangerous disease affecting more and more people worldwide. There have been several studies in the past that suggest that consuming processed meat can lead to cancer. Researchers have now carried out a large analysis of the results of these studies.

The scientists of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's research on existing research has found that the consumption of processed meat is clearly linked to the development of cancer. The physicians published the results of their meta-analysis in the English-language journal "International Journal of Cancer".

What makes processed meat so unhealthy?

A review of the evidence available on the link between processed foods and the development of cancer confirms this link, but it was not possible to determine exactly how much the consumption of such foods should be. Processed meat typically contains salts and other preservatives to extend shelf life and alter taste and texture. These salts and additives interact with the protein in the meat and can form toxic compounds that damage cells in the gut, the researchers say.

Sausages and bacon increase the risk of breast cancer for women

The consumption of processed meat, such as sausages and bacon, increases the risk of developing breast cancer by about nine percent, the study authors explain. The experts from the internationally recognized Harvard University examined the data of more than one million women, which came from 15 different studies. The results confirm that the biggest risk was women who consumed the most meat. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) had previously warned against the increased risk of cancer from consuming processed meat, the researchers say that the findings regarding breast cancer were inconsistent. Previous research has linked an increased risk of some cancers to higher levels of meat consumption, and this recent meta-analysis suggests that eating processed meats may increase breast cancer risk, study author Dr. Maryam Farvid of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Is red meat carcinogenic?

The World Health Organization also warned that red meat is likely to be carcinogenic, although there have been two studies in the field that have not identified such an obvious effect.

Processed meat especially increases the risk of colorectal cancer

However, people who eat processed meat, which may include, for example, smoked products, are clearly at an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly colon cancer. This led the WHO to classify such foods as carcinogenic.

How much red meat should be consumed maximally per week?

Many questions on this topic remain unanswered. Even the latest research has failed to pinpoint how much consumption of processed meat is harmful. Some studies have set the threshold for increased cancer risk at nine grams per week. It is likely that people who eat processed meat on a regular basis tend to be unhealthier. For example, the lack of consumption of fruit and vegetables or less exercise could increase the risk, the doctors suspect. The role of certain foods, such as bacon, is really hard to unravel, because all people eat a wide variety of foods and the diet can change over time, the experts explain. (As)