Red Meat Consumption

Thursday, 25 June 2009 15:52

Red Meat and Cancer

Red meat and processed meat are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, and there is also suggested evidence for some other cancers, such as prostate cancer. Red meat refers to beef, pork, and lamb, although some studies have included all processed meats (such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and cold cuts) in their definition regardless of their animal origin. Some research has suggested that processed, but not fresh meat may increase risk. More research is needed to understand how these meats influence cancer risk. The increased risk may be due to the iron and fat in red meat, and/or the salt and nitrates/nitrites in processed meat. Additionally, when meat is cooked at high temperatures, substances are formed that may be mutagenic or carcinogenic.

Measure

Average daily ounces of red meat for people ages 2 and older. Red meat includes beef, lamb, and pork from all sources and does not include processed poultry.

Most Recent Estimates

In 2003-2004, people ages 2 and older had, on average, 2.5 ounces of red meat per day.

Among racial and ethnic groups, Non-Hispanic Blacks had 1.3 ounces of red meat per day, while Mexican-Americans had 1.7 and Non-Hispanic Whites had 2.5.

Healthy People 2010 Target

There is no Healthy People 2010 target for red meat consumption.

Key Issues

The World Cancer Research Fund/ American Institute for Cancer Research Expert Report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective, recommends limiting consumption of red meat and avoiding processed meat. The recommendation is to limit intake to no more than 18 ounces a week, very little if any of which is to be processed. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans also recommend that choices be lean, portions be small, and meat be prepared by baking, broiling, or poaching, rather than by frying or charbroiling.

One area of active research is examining how risk differs for processed meats, such as salami, compared to fresh or frozen unprocessed meats, such as roasts.

Additional Information on Red Meat Consumption

American Cancer Society – Eating Lots of Red Meat Linked to Colon Cancer
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x Eating_Lots_of_Red_Meat_Linked_to_Colon_Cancer.asp
American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention: Reducing the Risk of Cancer with Healthy Food Choices and Physical Activity
http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/56/5/254
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines/
Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research
http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/
Meat Consumption among Black and White Men and Risk of Prostate Cancer
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/2/211
World Health Organization Report (2003) -- Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases
http://www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/who_fao_expert_report.pdf