Why is processed meat unhealthy?

[Kirra]

Had a discussion with a vegan the other day where I explained to him that all the studies that find adverse effects from red meat consumption are grouping lean meat together with processed meat. So there's no evidence out that that suggests that there are any issues with consuming non-processed red meat.

But exactly why is processed red meat bad for you? Is it just that people who consume a lot of processed meat are generally less healthy? Kinda like how a high intake of diet soda is linked to obesity even though there's nothing inherently unhealthy about it? Or are there actual harmful substances in it that become a problem when consumed in large quantities?

[bartolomei]

Processed meta is much higher in salt and other conservants.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsl...ocessed-stuff:

The biggest nutritional differences between unprocessed and processed red meat are salt (four times more salt in processed meat) and nonsalt preservatives (higher in processed meat). The researchers suggest that excess salt and preservatives may partly explain the difference in cardiovascular effects.

[SuffolkPunch]

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/2019...d-side-effects

There is a potential issue around nitrates in pre-packaged meat. As always it's a little more nuanced that some make out.

And yes, meat itself is not inherently unhealthy.

[Mrpb]

Had a discussion with a vegan the other day where I explained to him that all the studies that find adverse effects from red meat consumption are grouping lean meat together with processed meat. So there's no evidence out that that suggests that there are any issues with consuming non-processed red meat.

That's not accurate. Quite a few studies have found an association between consuming unprocessed red meat and colorectal cancer.

But exactly why is processed red meat bad for you?

They do not know. There are theories (preservatives, nitrates and several other theories) but they don't know which one is true.

Ps. it's not just processed red meat that's been associated with increased risk for cancer, also processed poultry. This includes canned red meat and poultry.

[Kirra]

That's not accurate. Quite a few studies have found an association between consuming unprocessed red meat and colorectal cancer.

Post them please.

[Mrpb]

Post them please.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4698595/

[KrisMM83]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4698595/

Wasn't there some line of research into the reduction in risk when consumed with other foods. i.e. eating it with fibre/veggies? Did anything come of that?

[Mrpb]

Wasn't there some line of research into the reduction in risk when consumed with other foods. i.e. eating it with fibre/veggies? Did anything come of that?

Eating lots of vegetables and fiber does reduce colorectal cancer risk, as far as I know that's true regardless of red meat intake.