Should we be eating bacon?


08 November 2007 08:35

The odd bacon sarnie will do no harm, according to Norwich's food experts, who have scoffed at claims eating processed meats will increase the chances of developing cancer.

A bombshell report last week told consumers to curb drinking, stop eating processed meats - including bacon, ham and sausages - cut their intake of red meat and salt and keep slim if they wanted to reduce their risk of developing cancer.

The World Cancer Research Fund's report was on an analysis of 7,000 cancer studies published since the 1960s on the links between lifestyle and cancer and included recommendations from a panel of 21 scientists.

It revealed that someone who eats 50g of bacon a day had a 21pc increased risk of getting bowel cancer.

But researchers at the Institute of Food at Norwich's Research Park at Colney said everything in moderation was the key.

Professor Ian Johnson said: “People would need a lot of bacon before it became a big risk.”

Sixty people out of 100,000 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year, which means there is a 0.06pc chance of getting bowel cancer each year.

For bacon lovers, with their 21pc increased risk, that works out at as a 0.07pc risk.

Professor Johnson said: “One of the most important things is not eating in a way that means you are overweight or obese and people should focus on eating a lot of plant foods - fruit, vegetables and cereals with high levels of dietary fibre. Eat a balanced and varied diet, avoid excesses, eat meat in moderation and take exercise.

“But the risks associated with diet are smaller than other factors such as smoking and a high intake of alcohol.”

He said fish and poultry seemed to be neutral and fish is seen as protective against bowel cancer and the institute is researching into its benefits, which will be published in a few years' time.

People with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 are considered to be within a healthy weight range. Those with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while anyone with a 30-plus rating is classified as clinically obese.

The risk of cancer rises as people get nearer to a BMI of 25 and everyone should try to be as close to the lower end of the weight range as possible.

Researchers said body fat was a key factor in the development of cancer, claiming that its links to cancer are much stronger than generally realised.

An independent survey conducted by the Sandwich Factory, has revealed that bacon is the number one sandwich filling in the UK.

What do you think of the findings? Contact Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE, e-mail eveningnewsletters@archant. co.uk or go to www.evening news24.co.uk/forums

Don't miss next Tuesday's Evening News for our Life Matters feature about how boffins in Norwich are changing the way we eat.

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