Researchers calculated that cutting daily processed meat intake
to 20g (just under an ounce) would reduce premature deaths by
3.3 per cent, mainly by cutting cancer and heart disease rates.
About 100,000 people die prematurely in Britain every year,
before the age of 65, suggesting the reduction could prevent
about 3,000 early deaths a year. However, the study by Zurich
University academics has been criticised by a dietitian. The
researchers, who followed the health of almost 450,000 people
aged 35 to 69, found the more processed meat people ate, the
more likely they were to die early from any cause. This was true
even after attempting to account for the fact that those who eat
more meat tend to be less active, drink more and smoke.
Professor Sabine Rohrmann, who led the analysis of the European
Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study, said:
“Risks of dying earlier from cancer and cardiovascular disease
also increased with the amount of processed meat eaten.
“Overall, we estimate that three