Fresh red meat poses less of a heart problem than processed meats. In a recent study, researchers found that eating processed meats such as bacon, sausage and processed deli meats (excluding poultry) was associated with a 42% higher risk of heart disease and a 19% higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. By contrast, they found no higher risk of heart disease or diabetes among individuals who ate unprocessed red meats such as beef, pork or lamb.

Processed meats are those preserved by smoking, curing, salting or with additional chemical preservatives. While the saturated fat content was roughly similar between the red meats and processed meats studied, processed meats had, on average, four times as much sodium and 50% nitrate preservatives. Researchers suggest that the sodium content may account for much of the risk differential.

The bottom line, then, is 1) if you eat meat, have it occassionally, and 2) select red meat over processed meats.


1 | Left by Anon | Aug. 2, 2010 at 11:52am