新奇事件簿 红肉增加癌症风险（在线收听）

Health authorities in Britain have advised against eating too much red meat. The British government has issued a set of red meat guidelines which caution against eating more than 500 grams a week, or 70 grams a day. This is the equivalent of two beef burgers. Scientists say that eating more than this increases the risk of getting colon and bowel cancer. The new limits are down on the 90 grams a day recommended in 1998. Researchers think people who eat a lot of meat like lamb, beef, ham and bacon have a higher risk of cancer. A 2005 European study found people who ate about 160 grams of red meat a day increased their bowel cancer risk by one third compared to people who ate little meat. People have around a one in 19 chance of developing bowel cancer in their lifetime.

英国卫生当局建议不要吃太多红肉。英国政府发布了一套红肉指导方针，警告每周食用红肉不要超过500克，每天不要超过70克，相当于两个牛肉汉堡。科学家表示，超过这个量会增加结肠癌和肠癌的风险。新的限制比1998年规定的每天90克有所下降。研究人员认为，每天吃大量羊肉，牛肉，火腿和熏肉的人患癌症的风险会升高。2005年欧盟一份研究发现，每天吃大约160克红肉的人患肠癌的风险比只吃一点肉的人高三分之一。人们一生中患肠癌的风险大约是1/19。

Experts told people the new guidelines did not mean people had to abandon red meat. The head of health information at Cancer Research U.K. said: "This doesn't mean people have to become vegetarian, but if you're having a steak every day, that's probably not helping.” Scientists are unsure as to why red meat increases the risk of colon cancer. They suspect that haem, the pigment that gives meat its colour, damages the cells in the digestive system and the lining of the colon. A World Cancer Research Fund official said: "Following simple diet and lifestyle advice can help protect against cancer. Red meat can be part of a healthy balanced diet. It is a good source of protein and vitamins and minerals…But people who eat a lot of red and processed meat should consider cutting down.”

专家告诉人们，新的指导方针并不是说人们要放弃红肉。英国癌症研究中心的卫生信息负责人表示：“这并不意味着人们要崇尚素食，但是如果你每天都吃一块牛排，或许不会有帮助。”科学家并不确定为何红肉会增加结肠癌风险。他们怀疑让红肉显示红色的血红素破坏了消化系统的细胞和结肠内膜。世界癌症研究基金一位官员表示：“遵循简单饮食和生活方式指导方针可以帮助预防癌症。红肉可以是健康均衡饮食的一部分。红肉是优质的蛋白质，维他命和矿物质来源。但是食用太多红肉和加工肉类的人应该酌情减量。”