Heart Disease Risk and What Long-Term Studies Show
Large observational studies consistently link higher consumption of processed meat to poorer cardiovascular outcomes.
The American Heart Association summarized findings from the Cardiovascular Health Study: “Eating more meat—especially red meat and processed meat—was associated with a higher risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.”
Importantly, researchers found that each additional daily serving was linked to about a 22% higher risk. A daily serving can be as small as a hot dog or a few slices of bacon—making frequency far more important than occasional indulgence.
