On Monday 26 October 2015, WHO (World Health Organisation) released a report stating that eating 50G of processed meats daily increased risk of cancer by 18%. The report also stated that red meat is ‘probably carcinogenic’. What are the implications of this for runners?

What is processed meat?

Processed meats include bacon, sausages, hot dogs, salami, corned beef, beef jerky and ham as well as canned meat and meat-based sauces. The reason it gets its name is due to the meat being modified to extend its shelf life. This is done by either smoking, curing or adding salt and/or preservatives.

Graphic source: The Independant

What do the experts say?

Many feel like this knowledge has actually been around for sometime. In the September issue of MR, Dr Loren Cordain, a scientist and the founder of the Paleo movement, said: “Processed red meats are associated with an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.” However, the report’s assertion that even non-processed red meat is ‘probably carcinogenic’ is potentially damaging to meat-heavy diets such as the Paleo diet, which encourage the consumption of steak and venison.

Does Meat Still Have A Place In A Runner’s Diet?

The advice from the Cancer Research UK blog is: “None of this means that a single meat-based meal is ‘bad for you’. What it does mean is that regularly eating large amounts of red and processed meat, over a long period of time, is probably not the best approach if you’re aiming to live a long and healthy life. Meat is fine in moderation – it’s a good source of some nutrients such as protein, iron and zinc. It’s just about being sensible, and not eating too much, too often.”