Even Small Daily Amounts of Processed Meat Are Risky
Increased Risk of Diabetes and Colorectal Cancer
"Even small amounts of processed meat increase the risk of diabetes and colorectal cancer. There is no such thing as a 'safe intake level.'"
Research has shown that ultra-processed foods such as processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and colorectal cancer. In particular, processed meats showed the highest risk, as even small daily amounts were found to be harmful to health.
According to the New York Post on July 4 (local time), researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington in Seattle conducted a comprehensive analysis of data from more than 70 existing studies. They examined the links between the consumption of processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats and the incidence of chronic diseases, and recently published their findings in the international journal Nature Medicine.
According to the study, people who consumed about 50g of processed meat per day (the equivalent of one hotdog) had an 11% higher risk of type 2 diabetes and a 7% higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to those who did not eat processed meat at all. Drinking one additional can of sugar-sweetened soda per day increased the risk of diabetes by 8% and the risk of ischemic heart disease by 2%. Even a small daily intake of trans fats increased the risk of heart disease by 3%. The researchers stated, "All of these food groups are recommended to be reduced or avoided by the WHO and the US CDC," and added, "The best choice for health is not to consume them regularly."
Previous studies have also pointed out that processed meats are linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. This study is particularly noteworthy because it quantitatively analyzed the dose-response relationship to answer the question of 'how much consumption increases risk.' Processed meat refers to meat that has been smoked, salted, fermented, or chemically preserved to enhance flavor and extend shelf life. Typical examples include bacon, ham, hotdogs, sausages, salami, and jerky.
However, the study was a meta-analysis based on observational studies and did not directly prove causality. The researchers noted, "There may be measurement errors, such as recall bias, due to the methods used to assess dietary intake." Nevertheless, they emphasized, "What is more dangerous than eating these foods occasionally is consuming small amounts habitually every day," and stressed, "Minimizing the intake of ultra-processed foods is the most reliable way to protect your health."
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