Health studies link processed meat to disease and coffee to improved body composition

A large-scale data analysis by researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has linked even small daily amounts of processed meat to increased health risks. The study, which analyzed data from millions of participants, found that consuming between 0.6 and 57 grams of processed meat daily is associated with an 11 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes. At 50 grams per day—roughly two to three slices of deli meat or one hot dog—the risk of type 2 diabetes rises by 30 percent, the risk of colorectal cancer by 26 percent, and the risk of coronary heart disease by 15 percent.

Separately, research published in the European Journal of Nutrition suggests that regular coffee consumption may be linked to improved body composition. A study of 2,264 participants found that those drinking three to four cups of coffee daily tended to have less visceral fat and more muscle mass compared to non-drinkers or light drinkers, even when body mass index (BMI) levels were similar. Nutritionists suggest that bioactive compounds in coffee, such as chlorogenic acids and polyphenols, may contribute to these effects, which could extend to decaffeinated coffee as well.