Eating too much red meat can lead to early death, study finds

Studies have earlier suggested that eating a lot of red meat can cause health problems but a new study has further confirmed that eating too much red meat can cause an early death.

A new study has found that an increase in red meat consumption of at least half a serving per day is linked with a 10% higher risk of early death, whereas replacing it with other proteins sources can help live longer.

“The data suggest that replacing red meat with other protein sources, such as poultry, fish, nuts, legumes and whole grains and even vegetables, can reduce the risk of premature death,” said Frank Hu, senior author of the study published in the journal BMJ.

The study consisted of data on eating habits and mortality risk of 53,553 women and 27,916 men in the US between 1986 and 2010, as per CNN. The data tracked the amount of red meat and other foods each adult took daily every four years through self-reported questionnaires.

The team then calculated change in eating habits over time. Deaths from any cause in the data were verified using state records, among other sources. After analysis, they discovered that within eight years, an increase of at least half a serving per day of processed and unprocessed red meat was linked with 13% and 9% higher risk of early death respectively.

A decrease in eating red meats and an increase in eating whole grains, vegetables or such other protein sources was tied with a lower risk of death over eight years. “When people reduce their red meat consumption and eat other protein sources - and also plant-based foods - instead, they have lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality,” Hu said.

However, the study does come in with certain limitations, including the dietary data being self-reported. Also, Shalene McNeill, executive director of human nutrition research for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, pointed out that the data in the study is over 20 years old and might not be representative of eating habits today.

“Beef’s high-quality protein, iron, and zinc strengthen a balanced diet and complement the nutrients found in plant foods,” she stated.