Some studies show that increased daily consumption of red meat is unhealthy. The studies below show that by decreasing red meat while increasing an alternative diet with less meat intake over time, was a good choice for a healthy lifestyle and lowering mortality.
Recently the question was raised whether eating red meat would also increase cancer and heart disease?
The response was somewhat clear. Red meats that are high in saturated fat will raise cholesterol in the blood. When you have higher levels of LDL cholesterol, this will most certainly lead to an increase in heart disease and colorectal cancer.
The meat industry, however, claims that there is no relation regarding eating red meats and some types of cancer. It was even suggested and noted that red meat can always fit into any heart-healthy diet where vegetables, grains and fruits were also consumed regularly.
Harvard Study on Premature Mortality
The study shows how increasing a daily total of processed meat intake by half a serving is associated with a higher risk of mortality by 13 percent. In the same category, the research showed that unprocessed meat increased the risk of mortality by 9 percent. There’s also a significant association between increased red meat consumption and respiratory and neurodegenerative disease.
In the Harvard study, it was found that there is a clear association between premature mortality and increased red meat consumption that was consistent across all age groups. Regardless of their physical activity levels, smoking habits or alcohol consumption, those individuals who consumed red meat in general, were at higher risk for death than others.
There’s also an association due to the components that can promote cardio-metabolic disturbances, such as cholesterol, preservatives in foods, saturated fat and carcinogenic compounds caused by cooking using high-temperature. The long-term study suggests lowering the overall consumption of red meat and processed food.
Processed Meat
Cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, as well as colon and rectum cancer, can all lead to premature death. A study examines how curbing and getting rid of all processed meat from your diet such as sausages, cold cuts and salami is good for you. This is also true for cutting back on red meat consumption. This can make a huge difference over time on improving your health.
Other Studies
-A Japanese study of over 51,000 of men and women for the last 16 years found that there was no real connection between the consumption of red meat and premature death.
-Another study of more than 121,000 men and women was done for 24 years. Participants informed the group about their diet every four years. An amazing 24,000 red-meat-eater participants of the study died. Red meat eaters had high respect for other participants who ate less red meat.
The overall suggestion was to increase the intake of fish, skinless poultry, whole grains, and vegetables, as well as increase the intake of dairy products and eggs versus red meat. The study was done for over eight years. It was concluded that a Mediterranean-style diet using plants and herbs in the cooking process, as well as consuming whole foods and vegetables, can greatly reduce the risk of premature death.
