THE COUGH IS IN THE CURED

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New research shows that eating too much cured meat may impair lung
function

Joanne Yap
joanne@mediacorp.com.sg

Nothing quite beats the smell of bacon sizzling in a pan, but studies show
that one too many slices of cured meats is likely to be bad for lung
function.

Columbia University Medical Centre researchers studied over 7,000
participants in a nutrition survey to determine the effects of cured meat
consumption on lung function.

The study found that those who ate cured meat 14 times or more a month
were 78 per cent more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) compared to those who did not eat any.

Frequent consumption increased participants' risk of contracting mild COPD
by 11 per cent, moderate COPD by 46 per cent and a severe case of the
disease by 141 per cent.

A recent local study conducted on more than 50,000 Singaporeans also found
that phlegmatic coughs, which is a symptom of COPD, were linked to a diet
that was high in meat (including cured meat) and sodium.

According to Charles Han, dietitian at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, cured meats
are harmful to the body if consumed in large quantities because of the
sodium and potassium nitrite compounds they contain.

"These ingredients are added to cured meats to prevent the growth of a
bacterium whose toxin causes botulism, which in turn leads to paralysis
and death. It is also what produces the characteristic flavour, texture
and pink colour of cured meats."

Although there is no dietary recommendation for the consumption of cured
meats, the general sentiment is to eat them sparingly - as occasional
treats rather than dietary staples.

With regards to the direct causal link between cured meat consumption and
COPD, Mr Han believes that more in-depth studies need to be done.

"Currently, smoking, passive smoke inhalation, being male and prolonged
exposure to air pollution are all risk factors of COPD.

"However, since some 10 per cent of the people who die from COPD have not
been exposed to tobacco, this suggests that diet may play a role in the
development of the disease."