Could eating chicken heighten cancer risk?
A new paper in southern Italy showed unexpected correlations between chicken intake and increased dangers for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and overall mortality. So, the question now is: is chicken really as healthy as we think?
The study indicated that the intake of more than the recommended 300 grams of poultry a week was associated with a 27% higher risk of death from any cause compared to moderate consumption. Furthermore, increased poultry consumption was also associated with a 2. 3% higher risk of gastrointestinal cancer, with men experiencing a 2. 6% higher risk. The findings were published in the journal Nutrients.
These results have frightened consumers, as they contradict established dietary advice, like the Mediterranean diet, which includes poultry as one of its key ingredients. But experts are quick to point out that the link established by observation studies does not establish causality.
Harb said while the findings are robust, the study does not conclude that poultry causes cancer, and overall evidence still supports moderate poultry consumption as part of a well-balanced diet. He emphasized keeping everything in perspective and warned against jumping to conclusions with such studies.
The multifactorial etiology of cancer means that many factors cause it to develop, so it is difficult to identify the cause of the disease, Kirkpatrick explains. Genetics, environment, diet, exercise, and exposure to toxins are just a few of the variables to consider. For example, a smoker needs to address that before eliminating chicken from their diet.
The other essential question is whether or not the risk comes from poultry itself or from how it is cooked. Cooking processes and ingredients used can change the health value of food, and experts noted that cancer hazards could be more related to cooking processes than to the meat. Frying or grilling poultry can make the formation of carcinogenic compounds, for instance, a concern shared by red meat.
Kirkpatrick also added that food preparation and cooking are capable of greatly impacting food's potential health benefits or risks. A fried chicken, for example, might be more risky than plain baked chicken breast.
The study adds to the debate on whether white meat is healthier than red meat. Although chicken is typically lower in fat and higher in protein to fat ratio, it does not necessarily make cholesterol levels lower. Studies show that white and red meat can have an equivalent impact on blood cholesterol.
The study did not report on the kinds of poultry that were consumed, and thus, it was impossible to connect some sources with cancer risk. Kirkpatrick indicated that more research has to be conducted to assess the health risk of various kinds of poultry and processing.
Some limitations in the study were mentioned, including not taking into account poultry sources, pesticide exposure, use of antibiotics, food preparation, and dietary style. Kirkpatrick mentioned that the physical activity data were not available, which is well known to influence mortality in a positive way.
Experts add that such future research would have to rectify these limitations and include well-conducted prospective studies considering modes of cooking and preparation, extent of processing, and overall diet. They advocated for research into biological markers of carcinogen exposure, especially since the hazards were higher among men.
Despite the findings of the study, Kirkpatrick said that current dietary guidance on healthy eating will not change. She will go on to recommend more intake of poultry, especially among patients who are taking other healthy lifestyle changes. Harb reminded that it should be no more than 300 grams per day, while for some people who have particular health histories or have cancer history in the family, intake of around 200 grams a week is safe, along with other fish and vegetable proteins.
Reference
Yasemin Nicola Sakay, Fact checked by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. Could eating chicken heighten cancer risk? Experts weigh in on latest claims. Medicalnewstoday.com.
Available at- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-eating-chicken-heighten-cancer-risk-experts-weigh-in-on-latest-claims
(Assessed: 19th May 2025)
