SENIOR CITIZENS & SENSES

Processed meat, red meat and cancer. in recent weeks, the press has been having a field day with this headline, sometimes simplifying a more complex reality. It’s true, biostatisticians have shown that an average consumption of 100 g of red meat per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 17%, while an average consumption of 50 g of processed meat (ham, sausage) increases the risk by 18% (Chan et al., 2011). It must be remembered, however, that:
- average consumption in France is 31 g / day for processed meat and 53 g / day for red meat (CREDOC, survey CCAF 2013).
- it’s always a question of dose. A good diet means eating a little of everything. As Dr Plumey (2014) reminds us: « In France, we like meat and we eat neither too much nor too little! »
- it is essential for elderly people to continue to eat foods that are rich in protein and in iron – such as processed and red meat!
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