New Study Finds No Safe Level of Processed Meats, Sugary Drinks

A comprehensive study published in Nature Medicine has found that there is no safe level of processed meat consumption, as even small habitual amounts are linked to increased risks of type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and ischemic heart disease. Eating just one hot dog per day was associated with an 11% higher risk of type 2 diabetes and a 7% higher risk of colorectal cancer, while consuming a 12-ounce soda daily was linked to an 8% increase in diabetes risk and a 2% increase in heart disease risk. Nutrition experts, including Dr. Nita Forouhi from the University of Cambridge, emphasize minimizing or avoiding processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and industrial trans fats to achieve health gains. Despite these findings, some experts caution that the research is observational and does not prove causation, and that food also holds cultural and social importance. In contrast, separate research from Texas Tech University found that unprocessed red meat has no significant effect on obesity or related metabolic conditions, challenging some public health assumptions about red meat's role in chronic diseases. These findings highlight the need to differentiate between processed and unprocessed meats when considering dietary risks.