Red meat is high in saturated fats, which raises blood cholesterol levels. High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart diseases. Aside from this, research proves that red meat also raises your risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer.
Different Types Of Meat
Processed Meat
Usually, these products are from conventionally raised cows, then go through different processing methods. Examples include sausages and bacon.
Conventional Red Meat
This refers to red meats that are fairly unprocessed. However, the cows are usually factory farmed. Red meats are those meats that are red when raw such as lamb, beef, and pork.
White Meat
White meats are those meats that are white when cooked. This includes meat from poultry like chicken and turkey.
Grass-Fed, Organic Meat
This meat is from animals that have been fed and raised naturally, organically, and without drugs, hormones, and artificial chemicals.
Side Effects Of Eating Red Meat
Yes, its true that red meat is rich in protein and iron, however, consumption of this can possibly bring about harmful effects on your body. Remember, red meat is very high in fat content and once you combine it with buttery potatoes, fried onion, and a high-calorie diet, it makes it even more harmful.
Moreover, we should also know the fact that red meats are quite hard to be digested by the body. You might suffer digestive difficulties after eating beef and this can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body if you continue eating this kind of meat.
The Link Between Bowel Cancer And Red Meat
In a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health-AARP, results showed that people who ate most red meat and processed meat over a 10-year period were likely to die sooner than those who ate smaller amounts. Consumption of about 4 ounces of red meat a day may likely cause a person to die of cancer or heart disease.
Moreover, it was revealed in another study that followed more than 72,000 women for 18 years that those who ate a Western-style diet high in red and processed meats, French fries, refined grains, and desserts, had a higher risk of having heart disease, cancer, and death from other causes.
Researchers found red meat to be the potential cause of bowel cancer and there are several potential reasons for this. Red meat contains a compound which gives its red color, haem, which promotes the formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. Aside from this, once red meat is cooked at high temperatures, it produces compounds called heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are both known to cause bowel cancer in people with a genetic predisposition. Moreover, processed red meat have preservatives (nitrates and nitrites) that can cause cancer.
What This Means For You
Red meat can also contribute to a healthy balanced diet since it is also a good source of valuable nutrients, such as Vitamin B12, protein, iron, and zinc. Meanwhile, processed meat has less valuable nutrients and can be high in fat and salt, so if you eat red meat it’s best to choose fresh, unprocessed meat.
Besides, this doesn’t mean that you have to give up eating red meat immediately because research on this matter is still in its initial stages. Indulging yourself into a serving or two of red meat per week won’t do any long-term damage but you need to make sure that you are eating right most of the time in order for your body to counterbalance the possible damage that may be caused by incorporating red meat into your diet. It is recommended that you get plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet to provide your body with the needed antioxidants to fight chronic diseases such as cancer.
