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2013-03-07 07:49:55
By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News
Sausages, ham, bacon and other processed meats appear to increase the risk of
dying young, a study of half a million people across Europe suggests.
It concluded diets high in processed meats were linked to cardiovascular
disease, cancer and early deaths.
The researchers, writing in the journal BMC Medicine, said salt and chemicals
used to preserve the meat may damage health.
The British Heart Foundation suggested opting for leaner cuts of meat.
The study followed people from 10 European countries for nearly 13 years on
average.
Lifestyle factors
It showed people who ate a lot of processed meat were also more likely to
smoke, be obese and have other behaviours known to damage health.
Start Quote
Stopping smoking is more important than cutting meat, but I would recommend
people reduce their meat intake
Prof Sabine Rohrmann University of Zurich
However, the researchers said even after those risk factors were accounted for,
processed meat still damaged health.
One in every 17 people followed in the study died. However, those eating more
than 160g of processed meat a day - roughly two sausages and a slice of bacon -
were 44% more likely to die over a typical follow-up time of 12.7 years than
those eating about 20g.
In total, nearly 10,000 people died from cancer and 5,500 from heart problems.
Prof Sabine Rohrmann, from the University of Zurich, told the BBC: "High meat
consumption, especially processed meat, is associated with a less healthy
lifestyle.
"But after adjusting for smoking, obesity and other confounders we think there
is a risk of eating processed meat.
"Stopping smoking is more important than cutting meat, but I would recommend
people reduce their meat intake."
What is red and processed meat?
Salami
What is red meat?
Red meat includes beef, lamb and pork including minced beef, pork chops and
roast lamb. It does not include chicken or turkey meat.
What is processed meat?
Processed meat refers to meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing,
salting or adding preservatives. Examples include ham, bacon, pastrami and
salami, as well as hot dogs and some sausages. Hamburgers and minced meats only
count as processed meat if they have been preserved with salt or chemical
additives.
Is meat good for you?
Meat is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and
B vitamins. It is one of the main sources of vitamin B12, also found in milk.
Advice from the Department of Health is to consume healthier meat or meat
products, such as lean cuts of meat and lean mince and cut down on processed
meat.
Will I get enough iron?
A healthy, balanced diet containing other good sources of iron - such as
lentils, beans, eggs, fish, chicken, nuts and breakfast cereals - is advised.
NHS Choices
World Cancer Research Fund
What do we mean by 'processed meat'?
Health benefits
She said if everyone in the study consumed no more than 20g of processed meat a
day then 3% of the premature deaths could have been prevented.
The UK government recommends eating no more than 70g of processed meat - two
slices of bacon - a day.
A spokesperson said: "People who eat a lot of red and processed meat should
consider cutting down."
However a little bit of meat, even processed meat, had health benefits in the
study.
Ursula Arens from the British Dietetic Association told BBC Radio 4's Today
programme that putting fresh meat through a mincer did not make it processed
meat.
"Something has been done to it to extend its shelf life, or to change its
taste, or to make it more palatable in some way... and this could be a
traditional process like curing or salting."
She said even good quality ham or sausages were still classed as processed
meat, while homemade burgers using fresh meat were not.
"For most people there's no need to cut back on fresh, red meat. For people who
have very high intake of red meat - eat lots of red meat every day - there is
the recommendation that they should moderate their intake," she added.
Ms Arens also confirmed that the study's finding that processed meat was linked
to heart disease was new.
Mr Roger Leicester, a consultant surgeon and a member of the Meat Advisory
Panel, said: "I would agree people should eat small quantities of processed
meat."
However, he said there needed to be a focus on how meat was processed: "We need
to know what the preservatives are, what the salt content is, what the meat
content is...meat is actually an essential part of out diet."
Growing evidence
Dr Rachel Thompson, from the World Cancer Research Fund, said: "This research
adds to the body of scientific evidence highlighting the health risks of eating
processed meat.
So why don't the Italians die young?
The Italians eat lots of Parma ham so why don't they die young? There is
mounting evidence that processed meats can damage health.
However, being fit and well is about more than just processed meat. A diet rich
in fruit and vegetables, not smoking, not drinking too much and getting plenty
of exercise are all good for health.
The Mediterranean diet, which is also packed with fruit, vegetables and healthy
oily fish, is likely boost lifespan for Italians - even if some elements may
have a question mark next to them.
All things being equal, the evidence on the dangers of processed meat is
mounting, but it is important not to loose sight of the big picture. Saying I'm
giving up bacon, while smoking 40-a-day probably wont end well.
Why do the Italians live longer than us?
"Our research, published in 2007 and subsequently confirmed in 2011, shows
strong evidence that eating processed meat, such as bacon, ham, hot dogs,
salami and some sausages, increases the risk of getting bowel cancer."
The organisation said there would be 4,000 fewer cases of bowel cancer if
people had less than 10g a day.
"This is why World Cancer Research Fund recommends people avoid processed
meat," said Dr Thompson.
Tracy Parker, a heart health dietitian with the British Heart Foundation, said
the research suggested processed meat might be linked to an increased risk of
early death, but those who ate more of it in the study also made "other
unhealthy lifestyle choices".
"They were found to eat less fruit and vegetables and were more likely to
smoke, which may have had an impact on results.
"Red meat can still be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
"Opting for leaner cuts and using healthier cooking methods such as grilling
will help to keep your heart healthy.
"If you eat lots of processed meat, try to vary your diet with other protein
choices such as chicken, fish, beans or lentils."