Research Shows Red Meat Consumption Isn’t All That Bad
Research Shows Red Meat Consumption Isn’t All That Bad
This week a new study on nutrition and the nutritional value of certain foods showed the effect processed meat and natural red meat consumption can have on our health and life expectancy.
One of the most impressive results of the study was that the EU researchers were unable to find any ties between bad health and red meat. In fact the the study seemed to turn the classic view of the bad effects of red meat on its head. Apparently people who don’t have, or have a small intake of red meat are far more likely to have a shorter life expectancy.
While the American Government and the American Heart Association continue to say that overconsumption of red meat can lead to heart problems, a considerable amount of data is showing the contrary. The recent EU study isn't the first to suggest that red meat isn't all that bad. A study conducted in Japan also showed no increases in heart afflictions for people who consumed red meat moderately while a study done by Harvard in 2012 showed that the people who consume processed meat are far more prone to disease than those who regularly consume red meat.
The same Harvard study showed the importance that red meat consumption has, as in many cases it can actually increase one’s life expectancy.
The European Prospective Investigation in Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) included close to half a million people from 10 EU countries in their study. Among some of the factors that were taken into consideration were the participant’s eating habits, education, age, weight and even smoking and drinking habits.
The results showed that people who eat a lot of processed meats are generally more likely to not exercise, smoke and eat little to no fruits or vegetables and also to have lower education levels.
Because of these traits, to determine the number of deaths along the 12 year study that where caused specifically by the consumption of processed red meat was near impossible. Especially seeing how very few processed meat consumers lived to an age where their eating habits would affect their lifespan and health.
Red meat consumption has been on the rise in Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zeeland since the 50’s and now is rising in countries like China, where because of the economic development, more people can afford to eat meat.
While the media has tried to make sensationalist news from the study making a lot of people confused in the process, one very clear thing can be extracted and that is the fact that red meat should no longer be a demonized food item, and that moderate red meat consumption can even lengthen some people’s lifespan and increase their health.
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