Study reveals correlation between meat and dairy consumption and colorectal cancer

A new groundbreaking study published in the journal BMC Medicine reveals that the consumption of red and processed meat increases the risk of cancer, especially colorectal cancer. The research found that long exposure to the human antibodies created to fight a red meat-derived carbohydrate N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc)—most abundant in red meat and dairy products—contributes to the evolution of cancerogenic cells. The human body does not synthesize Neu5Gc, and its intake of acid from red meat and dairy creates an accumulation of the acid on the cell’s coating that triggers the production of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies by the organism.

Meat over matter

The World Health Organization has already classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, which means there is conclusive evidence that it causes cancer. The study cited above is the newest addition to that body of evidence. If you’re interested, you can read what other studies have said about the relationship between meat consumption and cancers such as bowel, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate.

It's not just meat; dairy consumption has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer. People who consume dairy products are up to 65% more likely to develop prostate cancer, and drinking just one cup of dairy milk per day is associated with a 50% increase in their chance of developing breast cancer. Replacing dairy milk with soy milk can reduce breast cancer risk by 32%, and plant-based food intake in general is associated with decreased prostate cancer risk.

Humans are the only mammals that continue to consume milk after the breastfeeding period. Even though up to 75% of the world population is lactose intolerant, our society still acts as if cow’s milk is essential for human health. Greed on the part of the dairy industry means that their profit is prioritized over our well-being.

Killing propaganda

Because of decades of government lobbying and propaganda on the part of the dairy and meat industries, most of society believes that we can’t be healthy without consuming their products. Consequently, people believe that it’s not possible to sustain human life without exploiting and murdering animals. This propaganda gravely affects humans, animals, and the planet.

Not only are there several plant-based foods that are richer in calcium and protein than milk and meat, but these foods don’t have the negative side effects on human health and the environment that animal-derived foods do—not to mention their effect on animal welfare.

The huge consequence of consuming meat and dairy for human health and the environment could not be clearer—the debate around this issue should be long resolved. We should be asking why billions and billions of dollars are spent in the maintenance of such a cruel and unsustainable industry; one that has proven to be inefficient and ineffective at doing what should be its primary goal: feeding people.

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