Processed Meat Increases Heart Risks
Do you love bacon, hotdogs, longanisa for breakfast? Here’s what you should know.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health examined data from more than 110,000 people and found that eating as little as two pieces of bacon or one hot dog a day upped their mortality rate by 20 percent over a 20-year period. A small, three-ounce serving of red meat a day (about the size of a deck of cards) increased mortality by 13 percent.
Consuming processed meat has long been linked to higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Researchers led by Dr. An Pan initially assumed that only processed meat posed significant health risks but they were surprised by the final results that actually, any red meat contributes to the risk.
The team found that swapping poultry or vegetarian protein options for processed or red meat made a big difference in outcomes. Eating a serving of nuts instead of red meat was associated with a 19 percent lower risk of mortality. Choosing poultry over red meat was linked with a 14 percent lower risk of dying.
Pan stressed that their study focused on the regular consumption of red meat, especially processed meat that can lead to premature death. But choosing more healthful sources of protein in place of red meat can confer significant health benefits by reducing chronic disease morbidity and mortality.
Pan said that if you really want to eat red meat, eat the unprocessed products, and reduce it to two or three servings a week.
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