17/05/2010

Eating processed meat may increase risk of heart disease

Eating processed meat - but not ordinary red meat - may raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to a new study.

Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health have found that eating processed meat such as bacon or sausage can lead to a 42 per cent higher risk of heart disease and a 19 per cent higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

However, the study found people eating unprocessed red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb, did not increase their risk of developing these conditions.

Victoria Taylor, senior heart health dietician at British Heart Foundation, said: “The study didn’t look at why processed meats were linked with heart disease and unprocessed meats weren’t. However, they suggested this might have been due to the preservatives, like salt, added to processed meat.

“If you like red meat, this can still be included as part of a balanced heart healthy diet. Go for lean cuts and aim to cook from scratch using healthier cooking methods like grilling or baking. If you need to add flavour then try using fresh and dried herbs, spices and chillies instead of salt.”

Find out more

Read the study on processed meat and heart disease