The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition
(EPIC) followed close to half a million people in 10 European countries
for more than 12 years (Rohrmann et al., 2013). The EPIC study found
no significant association between unprocessed red meat intakes and
all-causemortality or death due to CVD, cancer or other causes. A particular
strength of this study was that it examined unprocessed red meat
(such as beef, pork and lamb), unprocessed white meat (such as chicken,
turkey and poultry) and processed meat (such as sausages, bacon
and luncheon meats) separately. Although a moderate positive association
between high intakes of processed meat (greater than 160 g/day)
and mortality was noted, higher intakes of unprocessed red meat and
unprocessedwhitemeat did not increase risk. Researchers also reported
that thosewho consumed the most processed meat generally ate fewer
vegetables and fruit and were more likely to smoke. Furthermore, a
higher risk of all-cause mortality was observed among participants
with very low or no red meat consumption.