Mixed
Consuming red and processed meat at an average level of 76 g/day, which meets current UK government recommendations, is associated with a 20% higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to consuming 21 g/day.
If you eat red or processed meat, aiming for less than 76 grams per day may lower your colorectal cancer risk compared to eating around 76 grams or more. While 76g meets current UK guidelines, this study links that amount to a 20% higher risk compared to eating only 21g. Consider reducing portion sizes or frequency of red/processed meat to lower this risk.
Participants who reported consuming an average of 76 g/day of red and processed meat compared with 21 g/day had a 20% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4–37] higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (UK Biobank, n=475,581) with measurement error correction via 24-hour dietary assessment sub-sample, though follow-up was relatively short (5.7 years).
Source
Diet and colorectal cancer in UK Biobank: a prospective study
Kathryn E. Bradbury et al. · International Journal of Epidemiology · 2019
DOI 10.1093/ije/dyz064
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