Its been shown that high amounts of red meat in the diet can contribute to moderate to severe heart problems or abnormal cell growth, but a new study points out a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer than previously reported. This is the largest study to date on the subject of mortality linked to consumption of red meat.
An article in the Archives of Internal Medicine revealed that during a 10-year federal study of more than half a million participants, men who ate a quarter-pound hamburger daily increased the risk of death associated with cancer by 22 percent, and increased the risk of death associated with heart disease by 27 percent.
For women who ate large amounts of red and processed meats, the risk of death from heart disease increased by 20 percent and the risk of death from cancer increased by 50 percent.
The study also reports that those who ate larger amounts of fish and white meat like chicken had lower rates of death. However, other factors such as smoking, family history and body mass did play a role in the research.
There are many fresh substitutions for red meat and processed meats in your diet including:
- Lean ground turkey
- Tofu
- Mushrooms
- Soybeans
- Lentils
All of these additions to your diet, paired with whole grains, green vegetables and ample amounts of fruit can help you get the nutrients you need, plus help you avoid a heart disaster.