Researchers at McMaster University in Canada conducted a study and found that just 170g of processed meat per week can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Processed meat as a possible trigger for cardiovascular disease
Processed meat refers to meat products that are produced by salting, fermenting, curing or smoking. These include, among other things, the popular sausages. The World Health Organization has already classified such products as carcinogenic. The researchers at McMaster University wanted to find out whether and what effect they had on thisCardiovascular systemhave. As part of an observational study, the team analyzed the diets and health of 134,297 patients from 21 countries using data from their medical files. The study was conducted for 10 years. The results: Around 170 grams of meat can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by around 50%. In comparison, consuming unprocessed meat (chicken, pork or beef fillet) has no negative health consequences.
Not only processed meat but also its vegetarian alternatives can lead to heart problems
But why could processed meat cause cardiovascular disease? One possible cause would be the high salt content, another the preservatives and fats it contains. Salt is not only said to increase blood pressure, but can also lead to weight gain.
The alternatives for vegetarians are not always healthier either. Very often these are also processed products that contain a lot of salt, sugar and even preservatives.
To avoid heart problems in the long term, you should eat a healthy diet. The good news: We don't have to give up sausages completely. Moderate consumption has little effect on our health. It's not harmful if we put ham on our rolls every now and then or grill sausages once a week. However, anyone who eats processed meat every day risks high blood pressure and heart disease. That's why scientists recommend eating less processed meat and instead choosing vegetables, whole grain products and fish. A balanced diet plan will ensure healthy blood vessels.
