A recent analysis by Harvard scientists has good news and bad news for meat lovers. The good news in the review of nearly 1,600 prior studies totaling about 1.2 million people is that eating red meat such as beef, pork or lamb was not associated with an increased risk of heart disease or diabetes.

The bad news is that the same can’t be said of processed meats such as bacon, sausage, salami, luncheon meat or hot dogs: Just 50 grams (1.8 ounces, about one hot dog) of processed meat daily was associated with a 42% greater risk of heart disease and 19% increased risk of diabetes. “Processed” meats were defined as any meat preserved by smoking, curing, salting or chemical preservatives.

Researchers commented, “This suggests that differences in salt and preservatives, rather than fats, might explain the higher risk of heart disease and diabetes seen with processed meats, but not with unprocessed red meats.” To be on the safe side, they advised eating no more than one serving of processed meat per week.
Source: Tufts Health and Nutrition Update