High intake of cured meats may elevate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development risk in women.

This study investigated the relationship between the consumption of cured meat products and the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using validated food frequency questionnaires, researchers examined the cured meat intake of 71531 women within the age bracket of 38-63 years and without any history of COPD and asthma for a duration of 16 years. The COPD relative risks of all the subjects were also evaluated.

Researchers observed a high prevalence of COPD among subjects who regularly consumed diets rich in cured meat products. The COPD-promoting effect of cured meats was found to be stronger in smokers than non-smokers. The results of this study suggest that generous intake of cured meat products may contribute positively to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women.