New research has suggested that economizing on processed meat intake, by more than a third could make quite a large difference in the reduction of major diseases in the United States. This alteration in diet is estimated to prevent more than 350,000 cases of diabetes over a decade.
Studies by The Lancet Planetary Health said that cutting back processed meat intake by 30 percent, equating to an intake of about 10 slices of bacon per week, may prevent tens of thousands fewer cases of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer. conducted this research.
In the study, data were taken from a national health survey led by the CDC, whose responses formed the base for creating a simulated but representative sample of the adult population in the U.S. This microsimulation is the first of its kind in estimating the impact of reduced processed and unprocessed red meat consumption on multiple health outcomes at a U.S. level.
As reflected in the next findings, if processed meat intake were reduced by 30 percent, 92,500 fewer cases of cardiovascular disease by the end of a decade, and 53,300 fewer colorectal cancer cases would be noted. Of these, the greatest health improvement is likely to affect white males and those earning an annual household income ranging from $25,000 to $55,000.
The researchers also assessed the effects of a reduction in unprocessed red meat intake, alone and in combination with processed meat. If people reduced their intake of both kinds of meat by 30%, it could prevent more than 1 million cases of diabetes, 382,400 cases of cardiovascular disease, and 84,400 cases of colorectal cancer. Even a 30 percent reduction in the intake of only unprocessed red meat, which is equivalent to eating one fewer quarter-pound beef burger per week, might bring very major health benefits, 732,000 fewer diabetes cases and 291,500 fewer cases of cardiovascular disease.
The authors of this study highlight some of its limitations, which means further research is still required if there is to be adequate insight into the role of unprocessed red meat in chronic disease risk. Quite basically, on average, people eat a good deal more unprocessed red meat than processed meat, hence explaining why cutting down on unprocessed red meat manages to prevent more cases of disease.
As coauthor Professor Lindsay Jaacks from the University of Edinburgh puts it, “This is a clear win-win for people and the planet,” The reduction in meat intake has been recommended by many national and international organizations as one way to cut greenhouse gases. This new study indicates that dietary changes might additionally save a substantial number of lives in the U.S. through a reduction in meat intake.
It was funded by The Wellcome Trust and contributes to a growing body of evidence that eating more sustainably is good both for human health and the environment.
More for you:
- Processed meat intake brought down brings health benefits.
- Eating Less Bacon, Processed Meat May Reduce Risk of Some Diseases: Study