Curious Cook: The red meat connection

Eating red meat regularly can lead to higher incidences of colorectal cancer, according to new research. — KINDEL MEDIA/Pexels

An interesting research paper published on 17 June 2021 indicates there is a demonstrable link between consumption of red meat and incidences of colorectal cancer. This is not a new story, by the way, as the International Agency for Research on Cancer had already determined back in 2015 that processed meat was carcinogenic and red meat was probably carcinogenic to humans.

However, the way the mechanistic connection between red meat and colorectal cancer was established recently was a compelling read. In short, the research determined there is “an alkylating mutational signature in (cancerous) colon cells” which is directly linked to “red meat consumption and cancer driver mutations”.