[Salbodogogi] The Pros and Cons of Meat Consumption... Increased Nutrient Supply but Higher Cancer and Metabolic Disease Risks

Average Height of Adolescents Increases by 2cm with Nutrient Supply
Red and Processed Meats Classified as 'Carcinogens' in 2015
Clear Link to Colorectal Cancer... Rising Adolescent Obesity Rates
Consume Appropriate Amounts with Vegetables, Preferably Boiled or Steamed

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The increase in meat consumption is, for now, positive in terms of improving the physique of Koreans and supplying nutrients. The average height of adolescents under 19 (both male and female) grew by 2.4 cm over 10 years, from 166.7 cm in 2012 to 169.1 cm in 2020.

Meat is rich in protein, zinc, iron, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, providing energy and essential nutrients that cannot be obtained from other grains, vegetables, or fish. Zinc is an important nutrient for immune function, and iron is also essential for physical growth, neural development, and normal cellular function. While genetic factors, adequate sleep, and other variables also influence adolescent physical development, nutrition is equally important, making it reasonable to interpret that increased meat consumption has contributed to physique development.

However, there is a downside. The biggest concern is 'red meat,' which refers to mammalian meats such as beef, pork, and lamb, and 'processed meat,' including sausages, jerky, hot dogs, and ham. Numerous studies have already proven the harmful effects of red and processed meats on health.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the World Health Organization (WHO), designated processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) for colorectal cancer and red meat as a Group 2A carcinogen (probably carcinogenic) for prostate, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers in 2015, based on over 800 studies worldwide investigating the link between red and processed meat consumption and cancer. This is because carcinogenic compounds form during meat processing and cooking. Last year, researchers at Harvard University in the United States also published findings detailing the specific mechanisms by which diets rich in red meat cause cancer.

In fact, the number of colorectal cancer patients in Korea has been increasing over the past five years. The number of colorectal cancer patients rose by 9.2%, from 153,694 in 2017 to 167,905 last year. While various factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, genetics, and lifestyle contribute to cancer incidence, experts explain that the increase in meat consumption is not unrelated.

Red and processed meats are also known to increase the risk of metabolic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. The rise in adolescent obesity rates clearly reflects problems caused by changes in dietary habits. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Youth Health Behavior Survey, the adolescent obesity rate was 5.3% in 2010 but reached 10.0% for the first time in 2017 and increased further to 12.1% in 2020. Additionally, processed meats contain high amounts of salt, making them a major culprit in raising the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Meat can be either harmful or beneficial depending on how it is consumed. Above all, appropriate quantity is important. The WHO recommends consuming no more than three servings of red meat per week. Cooking methods such as grilling over an open flame or deep-frying should be avoided as much as possible. It is also advisable to develop a habit of eating meat with vegetables.

Lee Jae-yong, an occupational and environmental medicine specialist at KMI Korea Medical Institute, explained, “Since meat has clear positive aspects, it can be a good source of nutrition if consumption is limited to appropriate amounts.” He added, “Boiling or steaming meat produces fewer carcinogens, and removing excess fat during cooking is also beneficial.” He further noted, “If possible, choosing fish or poultry (white meat) instead of red or processed meat can be another option.”