Heme iron overload has been implicated as the main cause of the increased risk of cancer due to the consumption of red meat. However, fish and shellfish, teas, and spices contain up to five times more iron than red meat. There is insufficient evidence that iron intake in dietary red meat is the primary causal factor for colorectal cancer. In addition, harmful substances produced during the preparation of red meat, including heterocyclic amines (HCAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-nitroso compounds, and acrylamide, are extrinsic factors that increase carcinogenicity. HCAs are produced during the cooking of red meat, poultry meat, and fish. PAHs may also be produced during the cooking of diverse food groups, such as dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and cereals. The average daily intake of red meat among Korean individuals is 62 g; the amount of PAHs entering the body via red meat is less than the average amount of PAHs the body is exposed to in the air. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that dietary red meat is the main cause of colorectal cancer. Rather, there may be an intricate influence of multiple factors, including fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, smoking, overweight, obesity, and stress.
Keywords: N-nitroso compounds; colorectal cancer; heterocyclic amines; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; red meat.
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