Red Meat and Processed Meat Can Kill You

It's very not so great for all beef and processed meat lovers. The largest study in regards to the co-relation between eating red and processed meat and a person's longevity implies that regular red and processed meat eaters are near a 30% greater risk of premature death.



The killer unmasked



For purpose of clarity, pork is the expression used for meat which is red-colored when raw. This includes beef, pork and lamb. Meanwhile, the word processed meat is used for meat that is prepared with preservatives to guarantee the long shelf-life of the meat. This includes such staples as hotdogs, cold cuts, sausages, hams and hamburgers.



The scary truth



The study, which in fact had over five hundred thousand participants, recorded their levels of steak consumption diligently. The study observed at close range the health from the participants through the years, noting any illnesses reported and recording the timing of their deaths.



The amount of red and processed meat consumed through the participants ranged from less than an ounce to about four ounces per day. The frequency of consumption ranged from weekly to daily.



The outcome was consistent with previous studies that report the adverse effect of regular consumption of red and processed meat. Out from the nearly half a million people monitored over a period of ten years, 71,252 died prematurely due to intake of excessive red and processed meat. 67 percent of people who suffered from premature death were men, and majority experienced cancer or heart problems.



By comparison, participants who have been on a plant-based diet had few incidents of cardiovascular disease. This is in keeping with other studies that report that a vegetable-based weight loss program is best for the guts.



A troubling finding is middle-aged Americans who eat a small Hamburger Fries & Shake everyday are 10 times more planning to die within the next 10 years due to health issues.



A similar study known as the Oxford Vegetarian Study monitored 15,000 subjects. At the end in the study, it turned out discovered that meat eaters were doubly likely to die from heart disease. Not only that, we were holding also at the sixty percent and the higher chances of struggling with cancer. It is interesting to note though, that in accordance with the studies mentioned above, beef eaters also are usually overweight. They are very likely to be smokers and tend to eat less vegatables and fruits than the rest with the group.



The solution



Red meat isn't all bad. After all, it is just a great source of protein. It also has minerals like phosphorus and zinc, along with vitamins like B12, riboflavin and niacin. The key is to lessen the frequency and serving size of beef, and to serve it with many different vegetables and fruits to negate or lessen its unwanted effects. Train yourself to eat more white meat (such as chicken, duck or fish) as well as to go for meat substitutes like tofu.



So the next time you want to host an outdoor barbecue your backyard, you better think again. Instead of placing the standard hotdogs, steaks and hamburgers about the grill, you may want to try grilling fish, chicken or vegetables instead.