This Will Make You Think Twice About Meat in a Can

Processed meat in a can, sometimes known as "Spam," might skeeve you out, but in reality, it's one of the most common foods on Native American reservations and a popular choice in various populations — like lower-income, rural communities and even on Hawaii, where they make Spam sushi! But a new study found that Native Americans who often ate Spam had a two-fold increased risk of developing diabetes over those who ate little or none. Eeeek!

I guess it should really come as no real surprise, given how unhealthy this sort of food is. As the researchers acknowledged, people who eat the most processed meats tend to be heavier, with larger waistlines, raising the possibility that the foods contribute to obesity, a major risk factor for diabetes.

Plus, processed meats are packed with a lot more sodium than unprocessed kinds.

Now, of course, cold cuts and other processed meats aren't exactly the same thing as Spam, and the study didn't look at how types of meat other than Spam might relate to diabetes, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're not exactly doing our health any favors. The American Meat Institute, which represents companies that process meat, said that "processed meats are a safe and nutritious part of a balanced diet," but uh … as far as I'm concerned, that's up for debate.

One thing's for sure: Studies like this one serve as a reminder that we tend to fare better when we eat more fresh veggies and less of anything that goes through a machine on its way into our bellies. Unfortunately, processed foods are often what's most affordable and available in lower-income communities. Almost 70 percent of Americans eat one serving or less of fresh produce each day — and the issue is magnified in the nation's poorest communities — especially those labeled "food deserts," because healthy food is often unavailable for purchase.

So a study like this really drives home the point that we could all stand to help these communities get their hands on fresher foods. (For instance, in some cities, are food trucks filled with fresh produce from nearby farms that drive through the neighborhoods.) It's an aim that would clearly have a reverberating effect on Americans' well-being.

How do you feel about eating Spam and other processed meats?