For decades, we've been told to cut back on red meat to protect our hearts. Now, a major scientific review suggests the real health risks may lie in our overall lifestyle, not the meat itself.
This comprehensive review, which analyzed the combined evidence from numerous studies, investigated the link between meat and cardiovascular health. The conclusion was a surprising one for many: there is no statistically significant link between eating unprocessed red meat and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, or heart failure.
So, why the long-held belief? The review highlights that in many older studies, once lifestyle factors like poor overall diet, smoking, and lack of exercise were accounted for, the weak association with heart problems disappeared.
For those committed to a healthy lifestyle built on whole, natural foods, this is a crucial distinction. It suggests that a high-quality, unprocessed steak or roast, when part of a balanced and active life, is not the dietary villain it has been portrayed to be. The focus should be on overall lifestyle habits, not on singling out one natural food.
For those who want to see the science, the review is published in the journal Nutrients.
Source: Klurfeld, D. M. (2021). "Intake of Unprocessed and Processed Meat and the Association with Cardiovascular Disease: An Overview of Systematic Reviews." Nutrients, 13(10), 3649.