Last week, the headlines on meat consumption were inflammatory to say the least.
The Los Angeles Times: All red meat is bad for you, study finds
Fox News: Red meat linked to premature death, research finds
The BBC: More Red Meat, More Mortality
The New York Times: Red Meat Increases Death, Cancer and Heart Risk
The researchers, from the Harvard School of Public Health, followed the diets and health outcomes of 37,000 men and 83,000 women over more than two decades. The found those who ate protein sources other than red meat were more likely to live longer. But what’s really at work here?
I found several systematic reviews on red meat consumption that give a broader look at this issue.
One published in the journal Circulation found 20 case-controlled studies and randomized controlled trials that assessed the effect of red meat consumption on health and concluded that eating processed meats, but not red meat, is associated with higher incidence of heart disease and diabetes.
Another review looked at the link between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer, and found eating red meat on a daily basis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and eating processed meats regularly is associated with an even higher risk of colorectal cancer.
And a third review found little evidence available on the links between red meat consumption and stroke risk.
As much as I love a good burger or juicy steak, the available evidence shows that eating red meat regularly is bad for your health. It is worth noting ,though, that in each study, the conclusions were drawn based on participants consuming red meat every day.
Personally, I’m going to stick with my motto of everything in moderation, and still enjoy a nice cut of beef once in a while.
Ego, ego, ego. Humans ALWAYS looking at their benefits (or not) from meat consumption. It’s an ethical outrage. We need a new Copernicus to show us that we are NOT the center of the world!
Did the studies distinguish between organic and non-organic beef? I would think the increase in hormone consumption for non-organic beef would be a factor here.
What is the absolute risk? 10% increase in risk for a man would be from 5% to 5.5%, or 1 in 200 increase in lifetime risk of contracting colorectal cancer from 100g a day of meat.
The risk is dwarved by smoking, drink, or sedentary lifestyle, so give those up first.
I read Sinha 2009 as also reporting increased mortality in those in the lowest quintile of red meat consumption – did I understand that right – giving up meat might not help you may just need to eat an average amount.