World Health Organization: Processed Meat and Pork - Carcinogenic

For many years, red meat has been at the center of discussions about health risks. Many people dismiss the numerous warnings published about it, claiming they are vegan propaganda. However, now there is significant evidence proving that red meat poses a considerable risk. A comprehensive study published in the British Medical Journal presented results indicating that red meat increases the risk of death from one of nine severe diseases.

The study examined 536 participants, both men and women, aged 50-71. It assessed the dietary habits and health status of the participants in a study that lasted approximately 16 years. The study recorded data regarding the overall meat consumption of the participants, breaking it down into processed and unprocessed categories. The consumed foods were also divided into two categories: "red" meat, which includes beef, lamb, and pork, and "white" meat, which includes poultry and fish.

Participants were divided into groups based on the amount of meat they consumed. After analyzing the data and drawing conclusions, it was found that the group consuming the largest quantities of red meat had a 26% higher risk of dying from various causes compared to those consuming smaller amounts of red meat. The study links the consumption of red meat to nine significant diseases: liver diseases, kidney diseases, heart attacks, cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes, strokes, Alzheimer's, and various inflammations.

The research also discovered that poultry and fish positively impact health, contrary to red meat. Participants who consumed the most "white" meat were found to have a 225% lower risk of dying from various diseases compared to those who consumed little white meat.

In an article accompanying the study results, the study's lead researcher, an epidemiologist from the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. named Arash Atmadi, stated that this is an observational study. It does not assert with certainty that red meat causes the mentioned diseases but rather connects them while examining other factors leading to the development of these diseases.

In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) published findings from over 800 medical studies linking high red meat consumption to cancer risk. The organization stated that red meat might be carcinogenic. Their conclusions claim that a person who consumes 50 grams of processed meat per day increases their risk of colorectal cancer by approximately 18%, and also increases the risk of pancreatic or stomach cancer.