Processed Meat Health Risks

Processed meat includes bacon, sausages, hot dogs, salami, corned beef, beef jerky and ham as well as canned meat and meat-based sauces. Red meat is a darker colour than white meat and includes beef, lamb and pork because of higher levels of proteins that bind to oxygen, haemoglobin and myoglobin in blood and muscle.

Risk C Factor

Measured in g

Western (Northern European) diet

Nutrition

Strong increased risk of Diabetes Lymphatic system	1 study Low protein intake is associated with a major reduction in IGF-1, c... Study in 2014 +293% with High evidence in 18 years 6,381 subjects
Increased risk of Asthma Attack Respiratory system	1 study Cured meat intake is associated with worsening asthma symptoms Study in 2016 +76% with High evidence in 10 years 10 subjects
Increased risk of Colorectal Cancer Digestive system	3 studies Relation of meat, fat and fiber intake to the risk of colon cancer ... Study in 1990 +86% with High evidence in 6 years 88,751 subjects Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. Study in 2015 +18% with High evidence in 22 years Potential health hazards of eating red meat Study in 2016 +18% with Moderate evidence
Increased risk of Heart Attack (Myocard... Cardiovascular system	3 studies Mediterranean diet and reduction in the risk of a first acute myoca... Study in 2002 +116% with Moderate evidence 342 subjects Processed and unprocessed red meat consumption and risk of heart fa... Study in 2014 +28% with Moderate evidence in 11 years 37,035 subjects Red Meat Consumption and Mortality Results From 2 Prospective Cohor... Study in 2012 +21% with High evidence in 22 years 121,000 subjects
Increased risk of Coronary Heart Diseas... Cardiovascular system	1 study Red and processed meat consumption and risk of incident coronary he... Study in 2010 +46% with High evidence in 10 years 20 subjects
Minor increase risk of Type 2 Diabetes Lymphatic system	3 studies Potential health hazards of eating red meat Study in 2016 +32% with Moderate evidence Red and processed meat consumption and risk of incident coronary he... Study in 2010 +19% with High evidence in 10 years 20 subjects Red and processed meat consumption and risk of incident coronary he... Study in 2010 +19% with High evidence in 10 years 20 subjects
Minor increase risk of Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular system	1 study Red Meat Consumption and Mortality Results From 2 Prospective Cohor... Study in 2012 +21% with High evidence in 22 years 121,000 subjects

Create an account to view full list of RisksSuspected carcinogenic chemicals can form during meat processing. These include N-nitroso compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cooking the meat at high temperatures, especially on a barbecue, can also produce these dangerous chemicals.Less than 3 times a week