For experts, regular consumption of processed meats can also lead to cases of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Hot dogs, bacon and barbecue. The culture is full of joyous bargains with processed meats, but when that indulgence extends beyond the occasional celebration, experts say you should cut back.
“The evidence is quite compelling that regular consumption of processed meats is harmful to health, including colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” said Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology and chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. And overall, he added, most health experts agree that “processed meats are more harmful than unprocessed meats.”
Processed meats can include Ham, sausage, Baconcold (like mortadella, smoked turkey And salami), sausages, dried meat, peppers and also the sauces made with these products. When the meat is processed, it is processed through seasoning, fermentation, smoking or salting to increase flavor and shelf life.
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that processed meat was “carcinogenic to humans”, citing “sufficient evidence” that it caused colorectal cancer. The Global Fund for Cancer Research recommends eat little or no processed meat and limit red meat to about three servings per week.
It is important to limit your intake of red meat – most commonly beef and pork in the United States – even if unprocessed, because this type of meat is linked not only to cancer, but also to heart disease, stroke, and general risk of death. (In its 2015 announcement on processed meats, WHO classified red meat as “likely carcinogenic.”)
Experts cannot recommend one type of processed meat over another due to the way research is currently being conducted.
“Most of the studies focus on high-consumption processed meats: sausages, bacon, sausages,” Hu said. So, because all types of processed meats are grouped together in most studies, she added, “it is difficult to make a conclusive statement about which processed meats are better or worse than others.” And, she noted, people who tend to eat one type of processed meat tend to eat others, so it’s hard to tell the effects.
“In theory, it could be argued that processed poultry and fish are not as bad as processed red meat,” Hu said, citing the lower saturated fat content of poultry and fish and the abundance of omega fatty acids. -3 in some types of fish. . “But we have no evidence to support that.” So, until more research is done, treat processed poultry and seafood products with the same caution.
The main problem appears to be the processing itself, not what the processed meat is made of, said Marji McCullough, senior scientific director of epidemiological research at the American Cancer Society. The act of curing or storing with nitrates and nitrites, which can create carcinogenic chemicals in food, can contribute to cancer risk, she said.
Another possible variable, he added, is that cooking meat at high temperatures can form additional carcinogens. This includes cooking meat in direct contact with a flame or hot surface, such as when grilling, roasting or frying.
Sodium
In addition to the cancer risks, all processed meats tend to be high in sodium, which is “an important factor,” Hu said. Excessive sodium intake can increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Processed meats have also been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and dementia. A large 2021 study in Britain, for example, found that for every 25 grams more of processed meat in a person’s daily diet, the risk of dementia increases by 44% and the risk of Alzheimer’s by 52%.
Vijaya Surampudi, assistant professor of medicine at UCLA’s Center for Human Nutrition, said the concern about processed meat is that it can increase inflammation in the body by altering the gut microbiome. “Gut bacteria interact with our immune systems and sometimes lead to chronic inflammation,” she said, which can affect blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, increasing the risk of chronic disease and even death.
“A plant-based diet will be much more preventative in reducing risk,” Suampudi said. “That doesn’t mean you have to be vegan or 100% vegetarian,” she added, just that most of your diet should come from plant sources.
Environment
This way of eating is also good for the environment. So does this mean it’s better to eat plant-based alternatives to processed meat?
“Potentially, alternatives to processed meat are better than processed meat, but not all alternatives to processed meat are created equal,” Hu said. In the end it depends on what the products are made of, whether they are completely plant-based or made with a mixture of meat and vegetables. But, she added, “it is clear that a more optimal diet should be based on minimally processed plant foods.”
What about products labeled “without added nitrates or nitrites”? Nitrate-free meats may use ingredients such as celery juice, a natural nitrate, but it’s unclear whether they are better for your health than those made with synthetic nitrates or nitrites.
Of products labeled ‘organic’, ‘antibiotic-free’, ‘vegetarian fed’ or ‘human-raised’, Surampudi said: ‘I think if people can choose lean cuts, organic and vegetarian foods – if you can pay – it’s better, because whatever the animal you are eating ate is concentrated in that animal’s body and therefore you consume it too. ” This is an important factor to consider with all foods of animal origin, whether processed or not.
Ultimately, the processed meats that are worst for your health are the ones you eat routinely rather than as an occasional treat. What it means: Every once in a while, a baseball game or a family barbecue, for example, go ahead and eat a hot dog. Just don’t make it a habit. / TRANSLATION OF RENATO PRELORENTZOU
Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
