Reducing processed meat consumption by 30% could prevent tens of thousands of cases of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer, according to a study.
- Using a simulation tool, researchers were able to estimate the effects of a reduction (from 5 to 100%) in the consumption of processed meat – but also of unprocessed red meat – on the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer in American adults.
- Reducing processed meat consumption by a third (the equivalent of ten slices of bacon per week) would prevent more than 350,000 cases of diabetes over ten years, as well as more than 92,000 cases of cardiovascular disease and more than 53,000 cases of colorectal cancer.
- But it is by reducing both your consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat that the impact on health is greatest.
Hams, sausages, meat preparations, hot dogs… “While many studies have identified links between increased consumption of processed meat and chronic diseases (cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc.), few have evaluated the effects of reducing processed meat consumption on health.”
For the first time, a team of scientists has developed a simulation tool to estimate the impact and provide new evidence of the risks of industrial meat. Their findings have been published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health.
Less processed meat, fewer chronic diseases
In their work, researchers from the University of Edinburgh (UK) and the University of North Carolina (USA) used data from a US survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create a representative sample of the American adult population. Their simulation method made it possible to estimate the effects of a reduction (from 5 to 100%) in the consumption of processed meat – but also of unprocessed red meat – on multiple health outcomes in the United States. Starting with the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer and death in adults.
The result was that reducing processed meat consumption by about 30%, or the equivalent of eating ten slices of bacon per week for American adults, could prevent more than 350,000 cases of diabetes over a decade, as well as more than 92,000 cases of cardiovascular disease and more than 53,000 cases of colorectal cancer. Meanwhile, cutting unprocessed red meat consumption by a third (i.e. eating one fewer beef burger per week) could prevent more than 730,000 cases of diabetes, more than 290,000 cases of cardiovascular disease and more than 32,000 cases of colorectal cancer.
Reduce processed meat but also unprocessed red meat
According to the study, reducing unprocessed meat would therefore have prevented more chronic diseases than reducing unprocessed red meat. “This is partly because the average daily intake of unprocessed red meat is higher than processed meat, 47 grams per day versus 29 g, respectively.”we can read in a communicated.
Unsurprisingly, it is ultimately by reducing both processed meat and unprocessed red meat consumption that the impact on health is greatest: limiting their intake by 30% has reduced cases of diabetes by one million, cardiovascular disease by 380,000 and colorectal cancer by 84,000. “These kinds of dietary changes could offer many health benefits.”according to the authors.
Not considering “Reducing meat consumption has been recommended by national and international organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions […] So it’s a win-win for the population and the planet.”the researchers conclude.
