Should you Eat Red Meat or Not?

Red meat is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, so it should appear in your diet only occasionally. In too large amounts, it can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, heart attack, and also to overweight and obesity. However, it should not be completely eliminated from the diet as it provides valuable iron, protein and vitamin B12.

Red meat is a good source of wholesome protein and easily digestible iron. However, it contains large amounts of fat and cholesterol, therefore its excess in the diet increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

As always, you have to start with the words “it all depends.” The more processed it is, the more harmful ingredients it contains, and the type of meat consumed is also important.

Red meat consumed in very large amounts, especially when fried or grilled, may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer . Moreover, studies show that an excessive supply of red meat in the diet may be a predisposing factor to breast cancer in women. Nutritionists and nutritionists point out that red meat should be eaten relatively rarely . In the daily diet, white meat is preferable, mainly turkey, chicken and chicken, which contains much less fat and cholesterol, and is also less caloric. An alternative to red meatthere are also sea fish, which are a good source of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids with anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic and beneficial effects on the development and functioning of the brain.

Highly processed red meat

Red meat includes: veal, beef, pork, horse meat, mutton, lamb, goat and game. Processed meat is one that has undergone a technological treatment to give it the right color, smell, taste, durability or volume (so that there is less meat in the meat). The most commonly consumed, highly processed red meat products are: frankfurters, hams, sausages, canned meat, pates and ready-made meals.

Several studies have shown that eating red, processed meat increases the risk of developing breast, gastrointestinal and prostate cancer. It turned out that thermal treatment can lead to the formation of compounds harmful to health (e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines). It does not change the fact that eating raw meat is equally dangerous for us, due to the presence of very dangerous bacteria and parasites.

Is red meat carcinogenic?

While there is insufficient evidence to consider red meat carcinogens, the study clearly concludes that processed meat leads to colon cancer and is listed as a carcinogen in the same group as asbestos and smoking.

The topic is controversial because eating meat has many health benefits, but doctors are increasingly recommending that you reduce your consumption of processed and red meat. The justification for such practices is to try to avoid heart disease and diabetes associated with high consumption of the products in question. There is not yet enough research to confirm the effects of red and processed meat on cancer development, but WHO says it is worth choosing products that have not been preserved.

Red meat is an excellent source of protein and iron, so it is worth reaching for them during the day. Eating it for dinner, however, may not be the best idea – the metabolism slowing down during sleep may not be able to digest this delicacy. The feeling of heaviness and the accompanying pain and contractions will effectively prevent you from falling asleep.

Red meat is bad for your health

Research found that people who increased their total daily consumption of processed meat by half or more were 13 percent more likely to die from any cause. Increasing unprocessed meat by the same amount per day led to a 9% increase in all-cause mortality.

The good news, however, is that reducing the consumption of red meat for poultry, but also fish, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and eggs over the same 8-year periods lowered the risk of death in the next 8 years.

Saturated fats, cholesterol, oncogene, heme iron, and preservatives are some of the substances in red meat that negatively impact cardiometabolic health, researchers say.

A new study found that eating red meat was not associated with an increased risk of cancer or heart disease. This contradicts many years of scientific opinion that red meat increases the risk of certain diseases. A new review of the evidence found little or no health benefit from reducing red meat consumption. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not unhealthy consuming it every day.

The problem is the preparation method?

Scientists say that preparing meat meals at high temperatures, such as frying and grilling, is associated with potentially carcinogenic chemicals present in smoke and burnt fat.

They also caution against processed meat as it is high in sodium and saturated fat, which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Processed meats include sausages, ham, bacon, sausage, corned beef and dried meat snacks.

Researchers recommend aiming for a diet that is at least 90 percent plant-based. They add to eat red meat in moderate amounts. Fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains are lower in calories and are beneficial not only for your health, but also for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.