A recent study conducted by British Nutrition Foundation has claimed that people who eat sufficient amount of red meat may develop increased risk of bowel cancer.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) has recommended that people should not consume more than 3 slices of ham a day so that the risk to bowel cancer could be reduced.

SACN has advised an average of 70g red meat and processed meat a day for citizens of U. K and has also urged adults who eat more than 90g red meat or processed a day should cut down on their intake.

The experts revealed that a compound named ham, which gives red color to the meat is responsible for damaging the lining of the colon. The same compound is said to increase the risk of bowel cancer.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has suggested that people should completely avoid processed meat because it further increases the risk of bowel cancer. Processed meat is preserved by the means of smoking, curing or salting, or with chemical preservatives which may result in the formation of carcinogens. These carcinogens damage the body cells and results in the development of cancer.