Processed Meat Linked to Heart Disease and Diabetes

New research has shown that eating small amounts of processed meats, such as sausages and bacon, each day significantly increases the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Renanta Micha and colleagues at Harvard School of Public Health reviewed 20 studies involving more than a million people from 10 countries. Results showed that each 50 gram (1.8 oz) daily serving of processed meat (1-2 slices of deli meats or 1 hot dog) was associated with a 42% higher risk of developing heart disease and a 19% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Conversely, eating 100 grams of unprocessed red meat was not associated with an increased risk of either disease. “To lower risk of heart attacks and diabetes, people should consider which types of meats they are eating. Processed meats such as bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs, and processed deli meats may be the most important to avoid,” said Micha. The authors concluded: “Consumption of processed meats, but not red meats, is associated with higher incidence of CHD and diabetes mellitus. These results highlight the need for better understanding of potential mechanisms of effects and for particular focus on processed meats for dietary and policy recommendations.”