Processed Meat May Increase Diabetes Risk

A Harvard School of Public Health study shows that processed meat such as hot dogs, sausage, bacon, and deli meats may increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes. The findings were 42% and 19% higher risk respectively.

The study was carried out on the assumption that we have inconsistent and incomplete data on the effects of meat consumption on various diseases including diabetes as well as no real distinction between processed and unprocessed meats.

Basically, they felt clumping processed and unprocessed meat into one category was like saying a banana and a banana split were the same nutritionally.

While processed and unprocessed meats contain about the same amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, the processed meats contain about four times more sodium and 50% more nitrates. It is possible the salt and preservatives could explain the higher risk of heart disease and diabetes.

This makes sense since sodium can increase blood pressure and nitrates can reduce glucose tolerance and cause atherosclerosis.

The researchers concluded that processed meats are associated with a higher incidence of congestive heart failure and diabetes, and we need to distinguish between processed and unprocessed meats for dietary and policy recommendations.

How much is too much?

In a press release from the Harvard School of Public Health, Renata Micha, lead author of the study is quoted as saying, "Based on our findings, eating one serving per week or less would be associated with relatively small risk."

Until we have definitive answers, why not try out this homemade hot dog recipe without all the salt and no nitrates or one of these light sausage recipes. Yum.