It concluded diets high in processed meats were linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer and early deaths.
The researchers, writing in the journal BMC Medicine, said salt and chemicals used to preserve the meat may damage health.
The British Heart Foundation suggested opting for leaner cuts of meat.
The study followed people from 10 European countries for nearly 13 years on average.
It
showed that people who munched on a lot of processed meat were also
more likely to smoke, be obese and have other behaviours which are known
to damage health.
However, the researchers said that even after those risk factors were accounted for, processed meat still damaged health.
One
in every 17 people followed in the study died. However, those eating
more than 160g of processed meat a day - roughly two sausage and a slice
of bacon - were 44% more likely to die over a typical follow up time of
12.7 years than those eating about 20g.
In total, nearly 10,000 people died from cancer and 5,500 from heart problems.
Prof
Sabine Rohrmann, from the University of Zurich, told the BBC: "High
meat consumption, especially processed meat, is associated with a less
healthy lifestyle.
"But after adjusting for smoking, obesity and other confounders we think there is a risk of eating processed meat.
"Stopping smoking is more important than cutting meat, but I would recommend people reduce their meat intake."
She
said that if everyone in the study consumed no more than 20g of
processed meat a day then 3% of the premature deaths could have been
prevented.
The UK government recommends eating no more than 70g of processed meat - two slices of bacon - a day.
However a little bit of meat, even processed meat, had health benefits in the study.
Prof
Rohrmann said some "chocolate vegetarians" who ditched meat but did not
alter the rest of their diet may be missing out on vital nutrients such
as iron.
Dr Rachel Thompson, from the World Cancer Research
Fund, said: "This research adds to the body of scientific evidence
highlighting the health risks of eating processed meat.
"Our
research, published in 2007 and subsequently confirmed in 2011, shows
strong evidence that eating processed meat, such as bacon, ham, hot
dogs, salami and some sausages, increases the risk of getting bowel
cancer."
The organisation said there would be 4,000 fewer cases of bowel cancer in people had less than 10g a day.
"This is why World Cancer Research Fund recommends people avoid processed meat," said Dr Thompson.
Tracy
Parker, a heart health dietitian with the British Heart Foundation,
said: "With spring in the air, many of us may be looking forward to
sunny barbecues.
"But this research suggests processed meat, such as sausages and burgers, may be linked to an increased risk of early death.
"However,
the people who ate the most processed meat in this study also made
other unhealthy lifestyle choices. They were found to eat less fruit and
vegetables and were more likely to smoke, which may have had an impact
on results.
"Red meat can still be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
"Opting
for leaner cuts and using healthier cooking methods such as grilling
will help to keep your heart healthy. If you eat lots of processed meat,
try to vary your diet with other protein choices such as chicken, fish,
beans or lentils."
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