The red meat trade is leading to an increase in public diseases  

As urbanization and income growth have increased over the past 30 years, global trade in red and processed meat has increased sharply to meet demand.

Researchers have now seen that the increased meat trade also goes hand in hand with the epidemic of lifestyle diseases that people suffer from. 

Examined trade between 154 countries

The researchers examined exports and imports of 14 types of red meat and six types of processed meat between 154 countries.

In addition, they examined health data in the different countries.

The researchers were able to see a connection between the import and export of meat to a country and how large a part of the population is affected by diseases such as colon cancer, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. 

The researchers could also see that the spread of disease linked to meat consumption had large geographical variations.

Meat-related health problems have increased significantly in northern and eastern Europe, as have islands in the Caribbean and Oceania.

Strengthens previous research

It is an observational study, but researchers still state that the global meat trade is a contributing factor to the abrupt increase in lifestyle-related diseases.  

This confirms previous research that shows that red and processed meat leads to disease. 

But what is it in the meat that is dangerous? 

- It is probably the saturated fat that is found in red meat.

That is why the Mediterranean diet recommends white meat found in poultry and fish.

Game also contains less saturated meat, says Kerstin Brismar, senior professor of endocrinology and diabetes.

Additives are problematic

 The reason why processed meat such as sausages, ham and pies is pathogenic is that it contains a lot of additives, says Kerstin Brismar. 

- The more additives that are on the label, the more dangerous it is.

Namely, we have begun to see that there is a link between common diseases and additives in food.   

Both the saturated fat and the additives lead to inflammation in the body, and that is probably what makes these products lead to disease, says Kerstin Brismar.  

- We know that many of our lifestyle diseases, including cancer in fact, are linked to inflammation in the body. 

Fruits and vegetables are healing

The additives can also affect the intestinal flora.  

- It in turn creates a leak in the intestine and it creates inflammation, says Kerstin Brismar. 

But there are ways to cure the problem. 

- You should preferably eat less than half a kilo of meat a week and it should be spread over the week.

In addition, it is important to eat fruits and vegetables.

It protects against the inflammation that the red and processed meat contributes to, says Kerstin Brismar. 

The study is published in the journal BMJ.