World Health Organization ( WHO ) has now classed processed meat as a " definite cause " , and red meat a " probable cause " , of cancer. Processed meat means it’s been changed - through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking or other processes - to enhance flavour or improve preservation. It includes hot dogs, ham, sausages and corned beef. Red meat is unprocessed mammalian muscle meat such as beef, veal, pork and lamb. The type of cancer especially at increased risk is that of large bowel - one of the commonest cancers in many countries, including UK and Philippines.
WHO should have made more clear that while components ( chemicals ) of processed meat CAN cause cancer, the evidence being as strong as that for smoking, alcohol, asbestos and radioactive materials like plutonium ; the RISK is not as high
. WHO is less confident about the risk of red meat, even when cooked at high temperatures ( producing more chemicals which may cause cancer ).
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The theme of this thread is " a sense of proportion ". Despite the perhaps misquoted and misunderstood WHO findings, most informed medical opinion says it’s OK to consume processed and red meat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. In fact " most things in moderation " is the usual conclusion at the end of most reports on food and health
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http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk....-need-to-know/
Originally Posted by Doc Alan
World Health Organization ( WHO ) has now classed processed meat as a " definite cause " , and red meat a " probable cause " , of cancer. Processed meat means it’s been changed - through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking or other processes - to enhance flavour or improve preservation. It includes hot dogs, ham, sausages and corned beef. Red meat is unprocessed mammalian muscle meat such as beef, veal, pork and lamb. The type of cancer especially at increased risk is that of large bowel - one of the commonest cancers in many countries, including UK and Philippines.
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