Human Health Impact Based on Adult European Consumers’ Dietary Exposure to Chemical Contaminants and Consumption of Unprocessed Red Meat, Processed Meat, and Legumes

Abstract

In this study we assessed the human health impact based on dietary trends for adult consumers in Europe. The risk of ten illnesses was estimated based on dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, aflatoxin B1, and pesticides and consumption of unprocessed red meat, processed meat, and legumes (reference scenario (RS)) and a simulated alternative scenario of legumes consumption only (AS). Nutrient adequacy per each diet was estimated for vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and selenium. The burden of disease was quantified using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The potential health risk and DALYs differ when comparing the burden due to exposure to chemical contaminants and the burden from the consumption of food, the former favoring the RS, while the latter favors the AS. The burden of disease due to exposure to chemical contaminants was between 672,410–1,215,875 DALYs in the RS, while in the AS it was between 964,132–1,084,229 DALYs. Consumption of processed meat added up to 1,813,338 DALYs, while legume intake averted 364,973 DALYs. However, the AS also indicated lower nutrient intakes potentially increasing the risk of nutrient inadequacy. A balanced diet made up of a variety of different foods is essential to prevent potentially higher dietary exposures to a range of chemical contaminants and assure adequate micronutrient intake. Greater importance should be given to food consumption trends and cross-referenced to existing and new natural toxin legislation and risk assessments in view of the ubiquitous and growing occurrence of heavy metals and mycotoxins in our food. The impacts of climate change, and the growing tendency toward plant-based diets are two factors which will drive further increases in human exposure to toxic contaminants. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)