Actor Ryu Seung-beom chose Spam as his favorite side dish.

Recently, a video titled "Living with family is really unbearable... The hottest drama right now #FamilyPlanning Genuine Tension" was posted on the YouTube channel 'Elle Korea'.

Ryu Seung-beom, who usually enjoys eating spam, said, "I like spam," and "I need to quit this, but (it's not easy)." He then asked the production team, "Am I the only one?" and laughed. We look into how processed meats like spam affect health.

 

If you care about your health, you should limit the intake of processed meats high in sodium content.

 

 

Spam is a popular food not only among Ryu Seung-beom but also across various age groups of men and women.

 

It is well received that it pairs well with various stews and is delicious even when grilled alone as ham. However, since it is processed meat, it is better to limit excessive consumption for health reasons.

Processed meats such as spam have high sodium content, which can negatively affect conditions like hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Sodium is an essential nutrient for our body, but consuming it excessively raises blood sodium levels, which in turn increases blood pressure. Compared to their high sodium content, processed meats like spam lack sufficient high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, so relying solely on spam as a side dish can pose a risk of nutrient deficiency.

 

Processed meat increases the risk of dementia and diabetes

 

Processed meats contain many food additives, and excessive consumption can lead to dementia or cancer. A study team from Brigham and Women's Hospital in the United States tracked 13 adults over 43 years and found that those who ate more than two servings of processed meat per day had a 14% higher risk of dementia compared to those who ate less than three servings per month.

There is also a study indicating that consuming 25 grams of processed meat (about one strip of bacon) per day increases the risk of dementia by 44%. It is suspected that nitrates commonly used in processed meats convert into nitrosamines in the body, damaging neurotransmitters and neurons, which can lead to dementia.

 

The risk of diabetes increases. According to a study by Harvard University's School of Public Health analyzing over 210,000 people, those who ate processed red meat daily had a 46% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those who did not eat it. Additionally, processed meats contain a high amount of saturated fat, and frequent consumption can easily lead to excessive intake.

 

Consuming less than 100g weekly and including vegetables and fruits helps maintain health.

 

Therefore, reducing the intake and frequency of processed meats is the way to maintain health. The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 100g of processed meat per week. 100g of processed meat is equivalent to half a typical can of Spam. Developing a habit of eating less processed meat also has a positive effect on reducing the incidence of cancer. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, eating more than 50g of processed meat daily increases the risk of cancer by 18%.

 

If you must eat it, there is a method of washing it once in water or blanching it before eating. Food additives, including sodium, are sensitive to high temperatures, so blanching can remove them. On days when you eat processed meat, it is wise to consciously include vegetables and fruits such as lettuce, perilla leaves, tomatoes, and bananas. This helps to obtain nutrients that processed meat lacks.

 

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You must wash or blanch spam in water before eating it.

I rarely eat spam a few times a year.

I almost feel like Spam served in the cafeteria.

Something like sausage~

 

Everyone should reduce their consumption of processed meats, which everyone likes.

Good for your health