Reducing Processed Meat Intake Linked to Health Benefits: Study

Reducing consumption of processed meat by around one-third could prevent more than 350,000 cases of diabetes in over 10 years, a study published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health suggested.

Processed meats, which often contain high levels of salt, fat, and preservatives, have been linked to an increased risk of various health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. By cutting down on processed meats, individuals can lower their intake of harmful substances, leading to improved cardiovascular health, better blood sugar control, and a reduced risk of cancer.

A team from the University of Edinburgh and the University of North Carolina developed a simulation tool to estimate the health impacts of reducing processed and unprocessed red meat consumption. While many studies link high processed meat consumption with chronic diseases, fewer examine multiple health outcomes, and evidence on unprocessed red meat remains limited.

Using the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention health (CDC) survey data, researchers created a representative microsimulation of the adult population to estimate the effects of reducing meat consumption by 5% to 100% on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and mortality.