Does Red Meat Cause Colon Cancer

People enjoy meat a lot, both red and white but does red meat cause colon cancer that is a question we will discuss today, so read through and get what you need to know about red meat.

So, does red meat cause colon cancer? No, but too much intake of red meat causes colon cancer as eating 50 grams of red meat or processed meat each day has been found to increase cancer risk by 18 percent and can raise lifetime risk for colon cancer from 5 percent to 6 percent at continuous intake.

Sausages, burgers, and steaks are all high in saturated fats and this, in conjunction with other risk factors, can increase your chance of developing colon cancer.

At the same time, red meat has been linked to a lower risk of some other types of cancers.

Although meat, in general, is not linked to cancer, however, it does tend to contain higher levels of some harmful chemicals, such as arsenic, which could be a risk factor.

Both processed beef and pork are known to contain high levels of glyphosate, a chemical used on many foods including meat, butchered, and cooked.

The glyphosate compound found in most processes has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has classified glyphosate as a ‘probable carcinogen’, however, this does not mean it causes cancer in humans.

Table of Contents show

Meat and bowel cancer

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, a large-scale review of the evidence has concluded that there is a weak link between eating red meat and bowel cancer.

A number of studies have shown that eating red meat can increase the risk of bowel cancer in people who already have the condition.

The review, published in The Lancet, adds that the link between red meat and bowel cancer is not due to environmental factors or specific types of red meat.

The NHS says eating red meat is not linked to bowel cancer, but there’s still some research to suggest it’s a risk factor.

A study published in the BMJ Open concluded that people who ate a lot of processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, and ham, were 25% more likely to die from bowel cancer.

The report said these foods were not “fully carcinogenic”, but could increase your chances of developing bowel cancer.

Red meat and heart disease: is there a link?

One of the many reasons meat is linked to heart disease is because of the saturated fat and cholesterol it contains.

But cutting back on red meat is not always easy – people still need meat to give them some of the nutrients they need.

A study published in The Lancet medical journal, looking at over 13,000 people, found that eating red meat was linked to dying prematurely and having a high risk of dying from heart disease, but this was balanced by the protective effect of a Mediterranean diet.

Dr. Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: “Our advice is that if you do eat meat and you want to enjoy it, the balance is still there, as long as you do it sensibly and if you’re from an ethnic group that can afford to eat meat and do so regularly, you won’t suffer.”

There is also some evidence that low levels of red meat are linked to lowering your cholesterol levels.

According to the RSPCA, red meat is essential to a healthy diet, but people should be eating it in moderation.

The charity’s director of scientific affairs Dr. Tess Davis said: “Meat in moderation is essential for good health.

A vegetarian diet can lead to more intake of so-called ‘red meat’, such as beef, pork, poultry, fish, and shellfish, all of which are linked with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

“For those who want to avoid meat, there are many other dietary changes that could make a big difference, such as cutting down on processed foods, drinking less and eating more fruit and vegetables, eating less sugary foods, and exercising.”

Red meat and osteoporosis

This may come as a surprise, but red meat has been found to be beneficial for your bones.

Animal protein increases bone strength and helps to maintain strong bones. The same holds true for plant protein, which lowers the risk of osteoporosis.

Sausages, bacon, beef, lamb, and venison all contain essential bone-building nutrients.

Animal protein isn’t always the healthiest option, however, if you don’t eat meat, your diet can lack key nutrients such as iron, zinc, iodine, and protein.

Can red meat help weight loss?

Red meat and weight loss are some of those topics that are polarising – some people feel that if you cut down on red meat you’ll lose weight.

But with nearly two-thirds of British adults overweight, perhaps it’s not surprising that cutting down on meat isn’t necessarily a quick fix to slimming down.

“Even though red meat has the potential to increase weight gain in obese people, there is no evidence it would help or harm with weight loss,” said Dr. Alison Tedstone, from Public Health England.

A 2006 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition said that even if red meat is a type of calorie-laden food, cutting down on red meat will help you to lose weight.

Cutting out meat altogether – or just reducing your intake – is often too extreme for many people, however.

The NHS says that if you don’t eat meat, most vegetarian options offer all the nutritional benefits of meat.

“Meat-free food is usually healthier than meat-eaters options as there is a range of plant-based foods that offer the same or better nutrition,” says Dr. Tedstone.

People who want to lose weight could also try vegetarian or vegan diets, but only if they have tried this before and stuck to it.

“If a vegetarian or vegan wants to cut down on meat, we encourage them to slowly introduce certain types of meat back into their diet,” says Tedstone.

“Meat will usually make you feel fuller for longer, but the transition could be difficult, especially if you are used to having meat-based meals most of the time.”

How to avoid the formation of harmful cancer substances in meat processing

According to Healthline, here are some common and important tips to ensure your meat doesn’t form these harmful substances:

Use gentler cooking methods like stewing and steaming instead of grilling and frying.
Minimize cooking at high heat and never expose your meat to a flame.
Do not eat charred and/or smoked food. If your meat is burnt, cut away the charred pieces.
If you marinate your meat in garlic, red wine, lemon juice, or olive oil, it can reduce HAs significantly.