Miks võib liha olla organismile kahjulik?

It is known that meat is an important source of protein, calories and B vitamins. However, a recent study noted that this product reduces life expectancy in men. Among the negative effects are cardiovascular disease and cancer. But is it really reduced risk of disease, if you exclude meat from the diet? Nutriciologist Andrei Semeshov will help to understand.

The essence of the study

Until now, it has not been established exactly how meat affects life expectancy. To find out, a group of American scientists studied the relationship between the total amount of consumed processed and unprocessed red meat and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as the consequences of replacing red meat with other sources of protein.

The results are based on data from 43,272 US men (mean age 53 years) who were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer at the time of study participation. The subjects filled out a detailed questionnaire about their diet in 1986 and provided information about their medical history and lifestyle every four years thereafter until 2016. Through these records, scientists were able to track IBS cases (fatal and non-fatal) over a 30-year period. During that time, 4,456 cases of CHD were documented, 1,860 of which ended in death.

After taking into account other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the researchers found that there was a 12% increased risk of CHD in those who had some form of meat in their diet every day. Similar results were seen for consumers of unprocessed (11% higher risk of IBS) and processed (15% higher risk) red meat.

Compared with red meat, however, consumption of one serving per day of combined plant protein sources, including nuts, legumes (e.g., peas, beans, and lentils), and soybeans, was associated with a 14% lower risk of CHD.

Nutriciologist Opinion

Andrei Semeshov, a certified nutritionist, recommends treating such studies with a healthy dose of skepticism, since scientists physically cannot account for all factors over such a long period of time. The expert cited another scientific paper, which claims that vegetarians live longer than meat-eaters solely because they refuse to consume meat. However, it should be understood that the former are much less likely to have any bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking) and often lead an active lifestyle.

Andrei: The thing that confuses me about the attacks on meat, which have been going on for years, is that we as a population have been eating meat for thousands of years. And surely our bodies are perfectly adapted to it. The source of complete protein, B vitamins is what’s on the surface. Yes, all this can be replaced and plant food, but you need to make an effort, competently compose a diet. Or just eat meat, fish, chicken.

Nutriciologist also noted that he respects the decision to refuse food of animal origin, if it is dictated by inner convictions, but with skepticism looks at attempts to become a “vegan” in the hope of bringing the figure in order.

The only thing the expert in this study agrees with is the harm of processed meat products (sausage, frankfurters, etc.). They are really worth removing from the diet.

So don’t be in a hurry to give up meat completely. First of all, get rid of bad habits, if any, and start exercising more.