Processed Meat And Cancer, The WHO Says:

Consuming processed meat every day can increase the risk of developing colon cancer by 18%. However, no risk could be demonstrated for small amounts of meat.

Processed meat is offered in markets around the world and marketed as “good” tasty food. It is particularly aimed at those who do not have much time to stand in the kitchen and prepare their food.

But people buy processed meat mainly because it tastes good.

But what distance did processed meat travel to make it onto the refrigerated shelves in this long-lasting, appetizingly presented form?

It is known that certain methods and substances have very negative effects on health and can even cause cancer.

This fact was recently confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has scientifically proven that bacon, sausage and other types of processed meat contain high levels of carcinogenic substances that can play a key role in the development of malignant tumors.

Details of the study carried out

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which works with the World Health Organization (WHO), has caused a stir around the world with the news that “enough evidence” has now been gathered that regular consumption of processed meat can lead to colon and rectal cancer.

In the same breath, excessive consumption of red meat was classified as “possibly carcinogenic” for humans, a statement based on the results of a “limited number of studies”.

Here, indications were found that there may be a connection between the consumption of red meat and colon and rectal cancer. An increase in the risk of cancer of the prostate and pancreas was not excluded.

In order to arrive at these extremely relevant results, a study was carried out in which 22 experts from ten countries took part. It was initiated by the IARC and published in The Lancet Oncology .

It  analyzed data previously collected in more than 800 studies to find out whether processed meat and red meat could actually be linked to different types of cancer.

The study looked at possible associations between diet and a dozen cancers.

Finally, it was concluded that  50 grams of processed meat per day increases the risk of developing colon or rectal cancer by 18%.

Christopher Wild, Director of the IARC, assures:

It’s not about denying that red meat is nutritionally high and provides essential nutrients for the body, such as iron. But the regulatory institutions and governments of the individual countries can use these results to adjust or confirm their dietary recommendations.

Red meat refers to meat from the following animal species:

• Beef.
• Pig.
• Sheep.
• Goat.
• Horse.

Processed meat and its products

Processed meat, on the other hand, is the name for products that have gone through processes such as salting, smoking, fermentation, etc. They are all aimed at improving the taste and increasing the shelf life.

The most popular types of processed meat include:

• Hot dog.
• Hamburger.
• Bacon.
• Sausages like mortadella, salami …
• Ham.

Of course, it was emphasized that while the risk of developing colon cancer from consuming processed meat is increased, it is still low. The individual risk depends very much on one’s own diet and the amount of meat that is consumed.

Dr. Kurt Straif, chairman of the program in which the study was carried out, states:

The meat industry is starting to worry

Following the publication of the research, farmers, the meat industry and some consumers are very concerned. The former are particularly concerned that sales will decline while consumers are unsure which foods they can still put on the table without worrying.

Representatives of the meat industry met and discussed their approach. The result of this consultation is a public letter insisting that “cancer [is] a complex disease that cannot be caused by the consumption of individual foods”.

In addition, the lifestyle of each individual consumer and environmental factors continue to play a decisive role.

Health effects

Healthcare experts, on the other hand, continue to confirm that a diet high in processed meats and red meats can have negative health effects. They encourage citizens to moderate their meat consumption and only include small portions in their diet.

Although it is certain that small amounts of meat are not equivalent to a high risk of cancer, small influencing factors that have a long-term effect can also contribute to the development of such diseases. These also include cardiovascular diseases, digestive problems and obesity.

And while we cannot avoid all of the risk, it is worth trying to reduce it.